European Union renews call to uphold arbitral ruling on South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) has reiterated its call for upholding international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award in the South China Sea.

The bloc issued the call during the second Sub-Committee on Maritime Cooperation (SCM) dialogue in Manila on Oct. 29.

In a joint statement, the EU and the Philippines “underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal States, and their maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, particularly the “UNCLOS” or the 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 the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award rendered by the arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with UNCLOS.”

The statement did not mention China, which is aggressively asserting its unlawful claims in the West Philippine Sea.

The EU also said it is one with the Philippines in reaffirming “their commitment to multilateralism and international law.”

During the dialogue held under the European Union-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EU and the Philippines further emphasized their unwavering commitment to promoting and upholding rights and freedoms under UNCLOS.

The EU and the Philippines, in their statement, likewise reiterated their “strong opposition against illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions in the South China Sea, and welcomed frank and sincere diplomatic engagements in this regard.”

The Philippines also underscored its appreciation for the EU’s “timely, consistent and decisive statements” on international law and on its support for a rules-based international order.

The Philippines and the EU also expressed “serious concern over unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability and the rules-based international order, including recent incidents in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.”

“Such activities also include those which damage the seabed and marine environment, interfere with the livelihoods of fishing communities and undermine the Philippines’ food security,” the statement read.

The EU and the Philippines also “urged parties to refrain from the threat or use of force and from adding uncertainty to the region through unilateral acts,” stressing that “maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with the dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS.”

This year’s SCM was co-chaired by the head of the 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.