The Philippines and Egypt are moving to expand their defense ties as part of a wider push to deepen their long-standing bilateral relationship.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Egyptian Ambassador to the Philippines Nader Nabil Zaki on Dec. 4 at the Department of National Defense (DND), where they discussed the growing cooperation between Manila and Cairo.
The talks followed the Philippines’ participation in the Egypt Defense Exhibition (EDEX) 2025 and a proposed memorandum of understanding that would formalize defense cooperation.
Teodoro thanked Zaki for Egypt’s support in protecting of Filipinos in the Middle East and Africa, particularly seafarers transiting the Red Sea. The two officials said they were looking for additional areas where Philippines and Egypt can work together.
The Philippines and Egypt share nearly eight decades of diplomatic relations, with cooperation spanning politics, trade, labor and culture.
In October, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro with Zaki recognized Egypt’s role in promoting stability in the Middle East citing the results of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit. Lazaro also reaffirmed Manila’s support for closer engagement between Egypt and ASEAN, which the Philippines will chair next year.
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