Geography may place the European Union thousands of kilometers from the West Philippine Sea, but its strategic interests are increasingly anchored in the Indo-Pacific. That reality was evident this past week as European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and...
The Philippines and Oman had agreed to maintain regular dialogue and exchange high-level visits to strengthen ties in key sectors such as trade and investment, finance, tourism and hospitality, education and training. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Omani...
Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on Friday, expanding the landmark Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pact to 62 High Contracting Parties and reaffirming support for a rules-based regional order...
The Philippines and the European Union (EU) have formally elevated their bilateral relations by signing a Joint Statement launching an Enhanced Partnership aimed at broadening cooperation on foreign policy, security, trade, climate action, digital connectivity, and other areas of mutual interest....
Manila emerged as a diplomatic hub this week as the Philippines concluded the four-day 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers ' Meeting and Related Meetings, hosting around 120 bilateral engagements among foreign ministers alongside discussions on regional security, the South China Sea, Myanmar, and...
Myanmar remains far from returning to high-level Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings as the regional bloc continues developing benchmarks to measure the military government 's compliance with the Five-Point Consensus, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma....
The Philippines has rejected China 's claim that repairs and construction work on the BRP Sierra Madre violate the provisional understanding between Manila and Beijing on Ayungin Shoal, saying no such restriction exists in the agreement. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma....
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed confidence that ASEAN and China could conclude negotiations on a long-awaited Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by the end of the year, citing growing political will among the parties and steady progress in the...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines remains committed to engaging China through dialogue even as it firmly protested Beijing 's recent actions in the West Philippine Sea during bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday,...
The Philippines and China have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on the long-awaited ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea this year as both countries sought to sustain dialogue despite continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The commitment was made...
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "serious concern" over the evolving situation in the Middle East, following renewed hostilities involving the United States and Iran. In a statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers highlighted the regional bloc’s...
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro encouraged fellow ministers to continue cooperating with each other, stressing that it is no longer just a choice, but a necessity. In her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers '...
