Philippines Holds 4th Maritime Dialogue with Japan, Adherence to International Law Emphasized
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Oceans Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce (left) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department Deputy Director-General Hon. IshizukiI Hideo (right) headed the 4th Maritime Dialogue. (DFA-MOAO photo)
PASAY CITY, 25 October 2021 — The Philippines held its 4th Maritime Dialogue with Japan on 22 October 2021, where both countries tackled issues on the security situation in the region, including the East and South China Seas, and Sulu Celebes Sea, updates on maritime law enforcement, defense and coast guard cooperation, fisheries, marine environment, and maritime domain awareness.
DFA Maritime and Ocean Affairs’ Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce led the Philippine delegation, while the Japanese delegation was led by Deputy Director-General Ishizuki Hideo of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 4th PH-JPN Maritime Dialogue also coincides with the commemoration this year of the 10th anniversary of the Philippines-Japan Bilateral Strategic Partnership, and the 65th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both sides emphasized the importance of conducting activities at sea in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also reaffirmed the 2016 Award on the South China Sea arbitration as final and binding international law that strengthens the legal order over the seas.
The Philippines and Japan committed to further deepen and expand maritime cooperation in efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, and to continue coordination on maritime-related issues of mutual interest. END
The Philippines delegation, numbering 25, joined by the 20 members of the Japanese delegation for the 4th Maritime Dialogue, held on 22 October 2021. The Philippine delegation was composed of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines Embassy in Tokyo, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Security Council, Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Philippine Space Agency, Philippines Coast Guard, and the Philippine Navy. (DFA-MOAO photo)