4th meeting of the Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue held

Illustrative image (Source: AFP/VNA)

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese and Philippine officials discussed latest developments in their surrounding seas such as the East Sea (South China Sea) and the East China Sea, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and the surrounding areas.

The two sides affirmed the importance of rules-based, free and open maritime order.

Both sides confirmed progress on the bilateral cooperation, such as their coordination and exchange programmes between the defence agencies as well as between the coast guard authorities and their projects to enhance maritime capabilities enhancement.

Furthermore, both sides discussed Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) employing advanced technologies, their combat against illegal, unreported, unlawful (IUU) fishing, and efforts to reduce marine plastic litter. Both sides shared the determination to continue reinforcing their cooperation in a concrete matter.

Both sides concurred on their commitment to continuing close coordination in the maritime-related fields toward the promotion of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” that share many relevant fundamental principles.

The Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue was formalized in light of the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement of June 2009.

The first meeting of the Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue was held in Tokyo on September 9, 2011, followed by the second in Manila on February 22, 2013, and the third in Tokyo on June 11, 2019./.

VNA