THE European Union and the Philippines recently held their second Security and Defense Dialogue in Manila.
During the dialogue on October 8, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing alignment on multilateral fora to uphold the rules-based international order.
They held substantive discussions on regional security dynamics, focusing on maritime security, including critical maritime infrastructure and freedom of navigation, and emphasized the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.
The security and defense exchanges, along with the EU’s recent announcement of its first-ever European Peace Facility assistance measure in Asia-with a pound 15-million package for the Philippines-demonstrate the bloc’s strong commitment to promoting stability and security in the region.
Managing Director for Peace, Security and Defence, and European External Action Service Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim jointly chaired the dialogue.