The Philippines and European Union (EU) have stressed the need for a rules-based order in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea and the need to keep these waterways open to international navigation.
Both agreed on the stand during a recent meeting between Department of National Defense Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr. and EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron following the latter’s call on Faustino.
The two highlighted the “importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS], the preservation of freedom of navigation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” DND spokesman Arsenio “Popong” Andolong said.
“Ambassador Véron ensured that these principles remain in line with the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy,” Andolong added.
During their meeting, the two officials welcomed the positive developments in the ongoing bilateral relations between the EU and the Philippines as well as the EU’s interest in defense and security cooperation with partner countries in the Asean region.
Véron also shared the EU’s political commitment to working with Asean and looks forward to receiving the Philippine delegation for the Commemoration of the 45th Asean-EU Anniversary at Brussels, Belgium in December this year.
Faustino welcomed the increasing engagements of the EU in the region and look forward to working with the EU in the future.
Considering the effects of climate change to a country prone to tropical cyclones and other natural disasters, Faustino expressed appreciation for the EU’s aid and assistance to the Philippines’s disaster relief operations.
Image credits: PCG