Manila, March 8 -- The Philippines and the United Kingdom on Saturday signed a landmark agreement to expand collaboration across various sectors, including defense and trade.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and visiting British Foreign Minister David Lammy MP formalized the "Philippines-UK Joint Framework" in Taguig City.

Since the launch of the Philippines-UK Enhanced Partnership in 2021, Manalo said total bilateral trade have reached 2.9 billion pounds in recent years while the UK has remained as one of the country's top investment partners.

Lammy said the framework will allow the UK and the Philippines "to deliver more cooperation" on defense and regional security, trade, science and technology, and climate, among others, "...