Germany's top diplomat on Thursday, Jan. 11, said the "world does not need another crisis" as she noted the "tensions that are rising too" in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a press conference after bilateral talks with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock cited in particular the laser pointing, the water cannon attack and other dangerous maneuvers against Philippine personnel in the South China Sea.
Baerbock said it was a point of concern, including for Europe, as such activities "violate the rights" for economic development.
"They also call into question the freedom of navigation...and international law, affecting all countries worldwide," she added.
Baerbock expressed concern for such activities as another "risk, that one more spark could set the whole region ablaze, still exists." She was referring to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
In her remarks, Baerbock rejected China's claim over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea, as she said the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) speaks a "clear language" about a country's exclusive economic zone and the 2016 Arbitral Award was also "crystal clear" in its ruling.
So, the German diplomat stressed the need to boost security cooperation with the Philippines, which she would start on Thursday through her visit to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) where she would get "first-hand information."
She expressed Germany's readiness to provide maritime training and cooperation with the Philippines, on top of Germany's current assistance through deploying reconnaissance drones in the Indo-Pacific.
"I think we all agree that the world doesn't need another crisis," she said, citing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian aggression on Ukraine, and the Hamas-Israel war that the world is currently facing.
"Therefore, for us, crisis prevention, everywhere in the world, especially in the region, is one of our top priorities. So we're working on different levels," she said.
Meanwhile, Manalo agreed with Baerbock when she said that compliance with international law is the "best protection" and the best guarantee to ensure peace and stability amid the rising tension.
"Germany is a valuable partner with the Philippines... We have important partners in Germany... in support for rule of law... [We're] working together to create greater awareness of the importance of international law, especially in maritime domain," he said.
The DFA chief said that the best cooperation that could be made between the Philippines and Germany "is to create greater awareness" on the importance and the maintenance of the rule of law in ensuring peace and stability in the region and in the world as a whole.
"And I think our cooperation could be increased to that extent," he said.
Baerbock's Thursday visit to Manila marked the first visit of a German Foreign Minister to the country in over a decade, DFA said.
During her meeting with Manalo, they also discussed political and economic concerns, "with focus on Germany’s peace initiatives and development cooperation with the Philippines," DFA said.
Baerbock and Manalo also explored avenues to boost bilateral trade, promote investments, and foster maritime cooperation.
"Labor cooperation was also discussed during the meeting, with specific focus on the placement of skilled Filipino workers and other professionals to live and work in Germany," DFA said.
Baerbock said Germany wants to deepen cooperation with the Philippines on renewable energy, where there would be a "win-win situation."
"They exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, encompassing climate policy, human rights, strategic partnerships, and security concerns around the world," DFA added.