Noy to raise several issues in Europe trip

MANILA, Philippines - Despite a tight schedule, President Aquino is expected to raise a number of issues during his visit to Europe, including the territorial issue in the West Philippine Sea, trade and investments, and Mindanao peace and development.

The President and his delegation will leave on Saturday night for Spain as first leg of his trip and then proceed to Belgium, France and Germany.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson said in a press briefing yesterday that the European position on the West Philippine Sea issue is that they support the Philippines in the peaceful resolution of conflict within the framework of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and arbitration.

“This visit will also introduce to these countries the Triple Action Plan (TAP), which is the short- medium- and long-term roadmap of the Philippines to seek resolution of the West Philippine Sea issue,” Collinson added.

Under the Philippines’ TAP proposal, the Philippines is pushing for the cessation of activities escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea, pursuant to Article 5 of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

The Philippines is also pushing for the full and effective implementation of the DOC, the expeditious conclusion of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) and the clarification of entitlements to bring the disputes to a final and enduring resolution in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.