(From left) Stratbase Institute President Prof. Dindo Manhit, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Australian Acting Ambassador and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Dr. Moya Collett, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo, Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh, and European Union Delegation Ambassador Massimo Santoro attend a maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the Embassy of France to the Philippines on Jan. 23, 2025 in Makati City. (Stratbase photo)
The ambassadors of Australia, the European Union, France, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia have reaffirmed their maritime cooperation with the Philippines and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indonesia and Vietnam, which have maritime disputes with China, also stressed that the security of the resource-rich waters is also a regional interest.
The envoys shared their thoughts on their partnerships with the Philippines in maintaining Southeast Asia’s geopolitical importance during a maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute and the French Embassy in the Philippines held last Thursday, Jan. 23.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel cited key milestones— such as France’s participation in the 39th Balikatan Exercises, the deployment of the Pegase 24 Air and Space Force, and the establishment of a full-fledged defense mission in Manila in June—in France’s and the Philippines’ maritime security cooperation.
“For an archipelagic nation like the Philippines, maritime safety is crucial. Ensuring the efficient transport of people and goods is essential for economic prosperity, while territorial and maritime sovereignty are vital for national security,” she said.
While the ambassadors did not mention China, whose aggressive actions in the contested South China Sea have become a concern for the international community, they reiterated the importance of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Japan is committed to uphold the rule of law as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Japan stands ready to work closely with the Philippines, ASEAN, and the international community to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” he stated.
European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro also mentioned how peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific will affect EU’s ties with the region.
“A region free from coercion is key to our collective stability, peace, and prosperity. Strategic partnerships are central to the EU’s approach to the Indo-Pacific, promoting cooperation over confrontation,” the envoy said.
Australia’s Acting Ambassador and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Dr. Moya Collett announced that the Philippines will participate in the Talisman Sabre exercise, the largest military exercise in the southern hemisphere, for the first time.
“Maritime security and territorial defense are now core pillars of Australia’s Defense Cooperation Program, evolving in response to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ needs,” Collett stated.
The envoy also shared that Australia will participate once more in the Philippines-Australia (PH-Aus) Exercise Alon to enhance the interoperability among strategic partners.
Ambassadors Agus Widjojo of Indonesia and Lai Thai Binh of Vietnam also participated in the forum.
For Widjojo, maritime Southeast Asia has a role to play in the geopolitics of the wider Indo-Pacific region.
“As maritime nations, Indonesia and the Philippines should maximize the benefit of the geopolitical importance of maritime Southeast Asia,” he said.
“While Indonesia and the Philippines should continue the existing close maritime cooperation, both countries should find ways to promote regional maritime cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacific region,” the envoy added.
Binh echoed this remark, emphasizing that maritime security is not only a national interest but a shared regional imperative.
“For Vietnam and the Philippines, maritime security is not just a matter of national interest, but a shared regional imperative. Addressing these complex challenges requires robust partnerships and a steadfast commitment to upholding international law, particularly the UNCLOS,” he stated.
The forum, which explored the various dimensions of maritime security to identify areas where cooperation between the Philippines and France could be most valuable, also tackled the role of international partnerships in addressing regional challenges, including maritime issues.
“Our collaboration goes beyond defense concerns and extends to the safety of trade routes, port modernization, and the sustainable management of maritime industries. This partnership strengthens our collective commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous maritime region,” Stratbase Institute President Professor Dindo Manhit said.
“2024 was a year of many firsts in maritime strategic cooperation between France and the Philippines. These milestones have laid the foundation for even greater achievements in 2025, a year of promising opportunities to further strengthen the bonds between our two maritime nations,” he added.