PH, EU Discuss Security, Economic Concerns in the Indo-Pacific Region 

DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal G. Imperial (right) and European Union Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Richard John Tibbels (left) and Deputy Chief of Mission and First Counsellor Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz of the EU Delegation to the Philippines (left) at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

MANILA 20 March 2023 – The Philippine and the European Union officials discussed security, maritime and economic concerns in the Indo-Pacific region on 13 March 2023.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial and  European Union Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Richard Tibbels exchanged perspectives on recent developments in the region, especially in maritime Southeast Asia.

“The Philippines develops close bilateral relationships with all the major countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The visits of the Philippine President to Indonesia, Singapore, the US for the UN General Assembly, China, and Japan demonstrate our strategic approach in diplomacy,” Asec. Imperial said. 

The two officials noted the importance of ASEAN in managing various political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific and the larger Indo-Pacific region. “ASEAN centrality is a key norm if the EU wants to meaningfully engage the region,” added Asec. Imperial.

The two officials also exchanged ideas on the ongoing developments concerning the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea as well as opportunities for cooperation with the EU. END