NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has urged for greater cooperation between the Philippines and the European Union on security and defense matters in the Indo-Pacific area.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stated during the EU Ministerial Forum for Indo-Pacific Cooperation in Paris on February 22 that Asean’s own vision on the Indo-Pacific is based on inclusion, openness, cooperation, consensus-building, and respect for international law.

“Platforms for discourse and action are Asean-led mechanisms like the East Asian Summit. In this regard, the Philippines seeks to enhance its security and defense cooperation with the EU “he stated

The “only way to secure and defend” freedom and independence in the region, according to Locsin, is to become stronger.

“And there is only one way to increase our collective strength and secure a good outcome,” he continued, “and that is through reliable partnerships that share our critical interests.”

Locsin praised the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy for providing clarity on the bloc’s responsibilities in maintaining a peaceful and prosperous region based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He added that the EU’s emphasis on secure marine lines of communication, capacity building, increased naval presence, and collaborative drills to safeguard safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific “resonates powerfully” with the Philippines.

“Our Coast Guard, Navy, and Police Maritime Group are all interested in CRIMARIO II to help us improve our maritime domain awareness,” he stated.

CRIMARIO II, or Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean II, expands the scope of CRIMARIO I to include South and Southeast Asia in order to create a safer and more secure maritime environment through cross-regional collaboration.

During the summit, the EU announced that the concept of a coordinated maritime presence in the northwestern Indian Ocean will be expanded in order to optimize naval deployments and strengthen cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies, notably through joint maritime exercises and port calls.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell co-chaired the ministerial forum.

It brought together foreign ministers and high-ranking officials from over 50 countries, as well as regional organizations from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

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