1. At the invitation of His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Karol Nawrocki, President of the Republic of Poland, paid a State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines on 6 – 8 October 2026. The visit marked an important milestone in the longstanding and friendly relations between Poland and the Philippines and reflected the shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

2. During their meeting, the two Presidents reviewed the state of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. They recognised the growing strategic importance of closer cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific and agreed that Poland and the Philippines, as like-minded partners committed to international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, have significant potential to further deepen their relations.

3. In this context, Poland and the Philippines expressed their shared interest in working towards establishing a Strategic Partnership. They agreed that this objective should be pursued through a gradual and structured process, based on tangible progress across the political, security, economic, technological and people-to-people dimensions of bilateral relations.

Roadmap towards a Strategic Partnership

4. The two sides will strengthen the institutional foundations of bilateral relations by:

● maintaining regular high-level political dialogue, including regular consultations between the respective foreign ministries;
● identifying priority areas for bilateral cooperation and establishing appropriate working-level mechanisms where necessary;
● encouraging regular exchanges between relevant ministries, agencies, parliaments and other public institutions.

5. The Philippines and Poland reaffirmed their commitment in the implementation of the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the Development of Bilateral Relations on Defense to strengthen military education, training, and capacity-building initiatives; address logistical needs of both armed forces; facilitate cooperation in armament and military equipment; and explore opportunities in defense industry technology, alongside joint activities in mutually agreed areas of cooperation.

The two sides welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) Meeting on July 21, 2026 in Warsaw, which identified joint initiatives and activities marking a significant step towards an enhanced bilateral defense partnership. The two countries intend to deepen their cooperation in defense policy dialogue, military education and training, cybersecurity cooperation, intelligence exchanges, logistics support, and defense industrial collaboration. Both countries will encourage relevant institutions to develop practical projects and facilitate regular exchanges of expertise to jointly address the evolving security landscape and advancements in technology.

6. The two countries committed to deepening cooperation in maritime security, focusing on maritime domain awareness, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, ports, and shipping. They will also expand collaboration in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, including safeguarding critical digital infrastructure, enhancing cyber resilience, and advancing the safe and responsible development and use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. They will encourage relevant institutions to develop practical projects and regular exchanges of expertise.

7. The meeting also underscored the value of enhanced cooperation in disaster response and civil protection, including through the exchange of experience and best practices in medical emergencies, as well as fire and rescue services.

8. The Presidents identified significant potential for further cooperation in ICT and digital technologies within the framework of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communications Technology Cooperation. They emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and best practices and expressed interest in cooperation on the digitalization of public services, including tax administration, and digital payments and other financial innovations.

9. Regarding energy, the two sides recognized the potential for enhanced cooperation, including in offshore energy and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, with a view to strengthening long-term energy security, including grid security, and supporting the just, affordable, and people-centered transition towards sustainable and low-emission energy systems.

10. Both sides look forward to enhancing their cooperation in the field of space science and technology and its applications, using as a basis the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space between the Polish Space Agency and the Philippine Space Agency.

11. In the field of geology and critical raw materials, both sides highlighted opportunities for closer cooperation, including resource exploration, the exchange of expertise and experience, and cooperation in the mining and extractive sectors, including mining technologies and machinery, with a view to enhancing resource security and supporting value addition for sustainable economic development.

12. Both Leaders recognized economic cooperation as an essential pillar of bilateral relations. They agreed to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment, address trade and investment-related barriers, encourage interministerial consultations, and foster business-to-business cooperation, particularly in sectors of mutual interest. In this context, both sides acknowledged the importance of EU–Philippines relations. The Leaders also recognized the potential of the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement to further enhance economic relations between the Philippines and Poland through enhanced trade, investment, and business cooperation.

13. The Presidents welcomed the significant progress in Poland–Philippines international legal cooperation, including the signing of the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons in June 2026 and the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and expressed their support for further strengthening cooperation in combating crime and ensuring effective legal assistance.

14. Particular importance will be attached to strengthening cooperation in tourism, science, technology, innovation, education, and culture through academic partnerships, research cooperation, scholarships, student and youth exchanges, and stronger cooperation between scientific bodies, as well as enhanced cooperation between think tanks and other policy-oriented research institutions.

Regional and Multilateral Cooperation

15. Poland expressed its sincere appreciation to the Republic of the Philippines for its support and assistance in Poland’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on 24 July 2026 on the occasion of the Commemorative Activity of the 50th Anniversary of the TAC held in Manila, Philippines. Poland considers its accession as an important step in strengthening its engagement with ASEAN

16. The Polish side particularly valued the constructive role played by the Philippines in facilitating this process and expressed its readiness to further develop cooperation with ASEAN, including through the Philippines’ role as ASEAN Chair in 2026.

The Philippines also welcomed Poland’s participation in the inaugural High-Level Conference of High Contracting Parties (HCPs) to the TAC on 24 July 2026, particularly in the breakout session on Enhancing Maritime Security and Promoting Maritime Cooperation. Both sides also welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with HCPs under the TAC, which established modalities of engagement aimed at deepening cooperation with HCPs especially those that do not yet maintain formal partnerships with ASEAN, including Poland.

17. Both sides agreed to make use of Poland’s participation in the TAC to deepen Poland–ASEAN engagement and to promote closer cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia on issues of common interest, including connectivity, sustainable development, digital transformation, economic resilience and regional security, as well as to work towards achieving the most ambitious possible outcomes of the EU–ASEAN Summit in 2027.

The Philippines extended its appreciation of Poland’s co-sponsorship of the Philippines-led and ASEAN-sponsored UN Resolution entitled “Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia”, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026.

18. The Philippines noted the potential of the Three Seas Initiative as an important platform for regional cooperation and connectivity in Central Europe open for co-operation with external partners. Recognizing the Initiative’s contribution to the development of transport, energy and digital infrastructure, the two sides expressed their interest in exploring opportunities for dialogue, exchange of experience and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Three Seas region and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, in appropriate form.

19. The Philippines noted Poland’s aspiration to become a permanent participant in the G20 and to have a more active and sustained engagement in the work of the Group. While recognizing that decisions concerning the composition and enlargement of the G20 are matters for the Group itself, the Philippine side acknowledged Poland’s objective of strengthening the representation and voice of underrepresented regions in international fora. The two sides expressed their readiness to cooperate in advancing this shared objective, including through closer coordination in relevant multilateral fora.

Security and international affairs

20. The two countries reaffirmed their strong support for an international order based on the Charter of the United Nations, international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. They underscored the importance of upholding these principles in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and globally. They reaffirmed the importance of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as the legal framework applicable to activities in the oceans and seas.

21. Poland and the Philippines recognised the increasing interdependence between European and Indo-Pacific security. They expressed their readiness to strengthen dialogue and share information and best practices in addressing emerging security challenges and to strengthen coordination in relevant regional and multilateral fora.

22. The Polish side briefed the Philippine side on Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Both sides expressed deep concern over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. They called for a full and unconditional ceasefire, an immediate cessation of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and meaningful talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Both sides further reiterated the importance of protecting children affected by the armed conflict, in accordance with international humanitarian law, including relevant obligations concerning family unity, the prohibition of unlawful transfer and deportation, and the safe return and reunification of children with their families, as applicable and in the best interests of the child.

Looking ahead

23. Both sides expressed their determination to maintain the momentum generated by the Presidential visit and to translate the understandings reached into concrete initiatives benefiting the Polish and Philippine peoples. They reaffirmed that a stronger Poland–Philippines relationship would contribute to closer links between Europe and the Indo-Pacific and to a more secure, resilient and prosperous international environment.

24. President Karol Nawrocki expressed his appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Government and the people of the Republic of the Philippines for the warm hospitality extended to him and the Polish delegation during the visit. President Karol Nawrocki invited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to pay an official visit to Poland at a mutually convenient time, stressing that the highest-level dialogue between both countries remains essential to developing the bilateral relationship.

Source: Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines