The Philippines and the European Union agreed on Monday to start a dialogue on security and defense in order to tackle emerging threats like cyber attacks and foreign interference.

Philippine foreign minister Enrique Manalo made the announcement at a joint news conference with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday.

Kallas is in Manila for meetings with Manalo as well as a courtesy call with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"We hope that through the security and defense dialogue we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats that transcend borders, cyber attacks and foreign interference and manipulation of information," Manalo said in a joint briefing with Kallas.

Kallas said the new dialogue will be a "dedicated platform" in which the regional bloc and the Philippines can deepen defense cooperation, share expertise on security matters and explore joint initiatives.

"We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including use of coercion," Kallas said when asked what the EU's red lines are when it comes to China's activities in areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.