2 Nobyembre,2024 Sabado
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Deepest sympathy to the family of Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas
Uphold arbitral ruling on South China Sea-EU
By Nidz Godino
“Such activities also include those which damage seabed and marine environment, interfere with livelihoods of fishing communities and undermine Philippines’ food security,” European Union (EU) has reiterated its call for upholding international law and 2016 Arbitral Award in South China Sea.
Bloc issued call during second Sub-Committee on Maritime Cooperation (SCM) dialogue in Manila on Oct. 29.
In joint statement, EU and Philippines “underscored importance of respecting sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal States, and their maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, particularly “UNCLOS” or UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They also called for support for “dispute settlement mechanisms” as well as for “full and faithful compliance with final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award rendered by arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with UNCLOS.”
Statement did not mention China, aggressively asserting its unlawful claims in West Philippine Sea.
EU also said it is one with Philippines in reaffirming “their commitment to multilateralism and international law.”
During dialogue held under European Union-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, EU and Philippines further emphasized their unwavering commitment to promoting and upholding rights and freedoms under UNCLOS.
EU and Philippines, in their statement, likewise reiterated their “strong opposition against illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions in South China Sea, and welcomed frank and sincere diplomatic engagements in this regard.”
Philippines also underscored its appreciation for EU’s “timely, consistent and decisive statements” on international law and on its support for rules-based international order.
Philippines and EU also expressed “serious concern over unilateral actions endanger peace, security and stability and rules-based international order, including recent incidents in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.”
EU and Philippines also “urged parties to refrain from threat or use of force and from adding uncertainty to region through unilateral acts,” stressing “maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS.”
This year’s SCM was co-chaired by head of Philippine delegation Louis Alferez, Assistant Secretary for the Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and by Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service.
ISKUP! 