Manila, July 8 (AseanAll) — Philippine Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo led the Philippine delegation to the 4th Philippines-Thailand Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) meeting held on June 27, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. The last iteration of the JCMC was held in August 2019 in the Philippines.
Photo source: the Philippine Department of National Defense
According to the Philippine Department of National Defense，Philippine Assistant Secretary Lorenzo co-chaired the 4th JCMC meeting with General Nuchit Sribunsong, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence of the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Photo source: the Philippine Department of National Defense
During the meeting, both co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the 1997 Philippines-Thailand Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Military Cooperation and underscored the importance of annually convening the JCMC meeting.
The two officials exchanged views and insights on the developments in the region, challenges and potential cooperation on cyber security, and the importance of enhancing capabilities on maritime security.
On bilateral defense cooperation, both sides encouraged deepening military relations, through continued conduct of service-to-service dialogue mechanisms and exploring partnerships on maritime security, cyber security, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and defense industry, among others.
Both countries also welcomed the crafting of the proposed Philippines-Thailand Defense Engagement Plan (DEP) for CY 2023-2024, which will outline the list of activities to be conducted by both countries with short, medium, and long-term goals.
Photo source: the Philippine Department of National Defense
On multilateral cooperation, the Philippines and Thailand recognized the importance of ASEAN as the stabilizing mechanism and central platform in promoting peace and stability in the region. Both countries reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen cooperation with fellow ASEAN Member States, particularly under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.
Lorenzo invited General Sribunsong and the Thai delegation to the Philippines for the 5th JCMC meeting in 2024 which will coincide with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand. Both officials looked forward to further strengthening defense and military relations.
Prior to the meeting, the Philippine delegation also rendered a courtesy call on General Sanichanog Sangkachantra, Permanent Secretary for Defence, Ministry of Defence of Thailand, where the Assistant Secretary welcomed Thailand's commitment to developing defense relations between the two countries.
