The Philippines and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to uphold international law and freedom of navigation during the Third Subcommittee on Maritime Cooperation in Brussels on Oct. 7.
Both sides emphasized adherence to the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, calling for peaceful resolution of disputes and opposing illegal or coercive activities in the region.
They pledged to enhance cooperation on seafarer safety, marine biodiversity, and maritime security, including intelligence sharing and protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
Ongoing joint projects such as ESIWA, CRIMARIO, and the EU-ASEAN SCOPE Seafarers Technical Assistance Project were reviewed to strengthen maritime safety, training, and environmental protection.
The subcommittee, co-chaired by Philippine and EU officials, will next meet in Manila in 2026 to continue advancing maritime cooperation.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 9, 2025
