Poland, Philippines sign agreement on legal assistance in criminal matters

MANILA — The Philippines and Poland on Tuesday signed an agreement on legal assistance in criminal matters, which will strengthen cooperation in combatting crime between the two countries.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who is on a four-day state visit to the Philippines, witnessed the signing of the agreement. 

“The immediate connection between Poland and the Philippines is the belief in a value system and the respect for international law,” President Marcos said in a press conference after the bilateral meeting.

The two countries earlier signed the Agreement on a Transfer of Sentenced Persons earlier this year and expressed readiness to commence negotiations on extradition.

The state visit of the Polish President is expected to deepen ties between the two countries in many areas of collaboration including space research, agriculture, and defense.

“We welcomed in particular the steady progress in Philippines-Poland defense cooperation, which includes our acquisition of S-70 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Marcos said.

Poland has been participating as an observer in the Balikatan Exercises since 2025.

The European country has also signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia in July — during the ASEAN chairship of the Philippines.

“On economic cooperation, we noted the positive trajectory of our bilateral trade and committed to supporting private sector interest in partnerships and investment opportunities,” Marcos said in a statement.

This marks the first visit by a Polish head of state to the country and highlights the Philippines’ commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Poland.

The visit also builds on the recent progress in Philippines-Poland relations, including the first meeting of the Philippines-Poland Defense Cooperation Committee in Warsaw in July 2026 and the 7th Philippines-Poland Political Consultations held in Manila in September 2026.

The Philippines and Poland established diplomatic relations on September 22, 1973.

Over the past decade, relations between the two countries have continued to grow, with Poland becoming an important economic partner of the Philippines.

In 2025, Poland ranked as the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner. Poland is also home to an estimated 25,000 Filipinos, further strengthening the people-to-people ties between the two countries.