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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, EU subcommittee discusses South China Sea concerns

PH, EU subcommittee discusses South China Sea concerns

Published Sep 28, 2023 05:17 am

Delegates from the Philippines and the European Union (EU) formed the first ever subcommittee on maritime cooperation that was convened amid China's aggression in the South China Sea.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce led the Philippine side; while Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) led the EU side.

They gathered after the Philippines and the 27-member regional bloc agreed in July this year to establish a subcommittee on maritime cooperation as they were concerned on unilateral actions endangering peace in the Indo-Pacific.

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Photo courtesy of EEAS Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific Paola Pampaloni

During the meeting that was held on Sep. 27 in Brussels, both sides renewed their commitment to improve their bilateral maritime cooperation and to further their cooperation in and through multilateral and regional forums and organizations, including through ASEAN, their joint statement read.

They also underscored the importance of respecting all rights in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of thel Sea (UNCLOS); and its dispute settlement mechanisms.

Both sides expressed serious concern over unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability and the rules-based international order, including those committed within the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone, such as damaging the seabed and marine environment, interfering with the livelihoods of fishing communities and undermining the Philippines’ food security.

They pushed for non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states that could further complicate the situation and escalate tensions.

The Philippines and EU agreed to continue their work as well as "stand up for the rules-based international order and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-aggression, as protected by the UN Charter."

Other topics discussed were:

  • possible sectoral cooperation in the maritime area, such as sustainable development, ocean governance and connectivity
  • more training and exercises under the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO) project to strengthen the Philippines’ crisis management capacities
  • the progress towards the launch of the EU-funded technical assistance project for cooperation with the Philippines on the training, certification, and working and living conditions of seafarers, and
  • the recent adoption of the revised IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy

The next subcommittee meeting will take place in Manila in 2024.

Related Tags

European Union South China Sea
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