Delegates from the Philippines and the European Union (EU) have established the first-ever subcommittee on maritime cooperation amidst growing concerns over China’s aggression in the South China Sea. Led by Maria Angela Ponce, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office, and Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), the subcommittee was formed following an agreement between the Philippines and the 27-member EU regional bloc in July of this year.
The meeting, which took place on September 27 in Brussels, saw both sides reaffirm their commitment to enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation. They also expressed their intention to deepen collaboration within multilateral and regional forums and organizations, including through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In their joint statement, the delegates emphasized the significance of upholding all rights in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms.
Furthermore, the representatives voiced serious concerns over unilateral actions that pose threats to peace, security, and stability, as well as the rules-based international order. They specifically condemned actions carried out within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, such as damaging the seabed and marine environment, interfering with fishing communities’ livelihoods, and undermining the country’s food security. Both parties emphasized the necessity of non-militarization and self-restraint in all activities that could potentially exacerbate the situation and escalate tensions.
The Philippines and the EU pledged to continue their collaboration in defense of the rules-based international order, as well as the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-aggression as protected by the UN Charter. The delegates also discussed several other topics, including possible sectoral cooperation in the maritime field, such as sustainable development, ocean governance, and connectivity. They also discussed increasing training and exercises under the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO) project to enhance the Philippines’ crisis management capabilities. Additionally, they addressed the progress made towards launching an EU-funded technical assistance project for cooperation with the Philippines on the training, certification, and working and living conditions of seafarers, as well as the recent adoption of the revised International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy.
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled to take place in Manila in 2024.
