Latest news with #Manalo
The Star
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
EU-Philippines defence dialogue targets foreign interference and cyber threats
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, left, receives a souvenir from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following their meeting at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines Monday, June 2, 2025. -- Ezra Acayan/Photo via AP MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines and the European Union (EU) have agreed to establish a dialogue to deepen cooperation on defence and security, aimed at combating emerging challenges such as cyber threats, foreign interference, and information manipulation, Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. The Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and the EU's Chief Diplomat, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, made the announcement following a lunch meeting in Makati City on Monday. Manalo said this mechanism will provide a platform for the Philippines and the EU to discuss security- and defence-related issues with more depth and regularity. "As like-minded partners committed to a rules-based international order, we hope that through the security and defence dialogue, we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats and challenges that transcend borders,' said Manalo. Kallas said the dialogue will allow exchange of expertise and explore possible joint initiatives on security and defence "that contribute to regional as well as global security.' "Our work will be comprehensive and will include maritime security, cyber security, foreign information manipulation and interference, counterterrorism, crisis response, and more,' she said. The two top diplomats said this new dialogue marks another milestone in Philippine-EU relations, which Kallas said is growing on a "positive trajectory.' No date has been set for when the first meeting will be convened. - Bernama-PNA
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DFA Secretary Manalo to speak at ‘Future of Asia' forum in Tokyo
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will embark on a working visit to Japan from May 28 to 30, 2025, where he will speak at an international forum. Manalo will be one of the speakers at Japanese media organization Nikkei Inc.'s 'Future of Asia' (FOA) forum, an annual gathering of political, economic, and academic leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. This year's forum carries the theme 'Asia's Challenge in a Turbulent World,' reflecting the region's shared concerns amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. The FOA forum, launched in 1995, serves as a platform for influential voices to exchange insights and explore solutions to pressing regional and global issues. Aside from his participation in the forum, Manalo is also scheduled to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi to continue discussions stemming from the recent bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Manila on April 29. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News
AsiaOne
7 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Philippines open to more agreements with China to keep peace in South China Sea, Asia News
KUALA LUMPUR — The Philippines is open to any additional agreements with Beijing that can help maintain peace in the South China Sea, its top diplomat said, amid unabated confrontations between them over disputed features. The South China Sea, a conduit for about US$3 trillion (S$3.8 trillion) of annual ship-borne trade, remains a source of tension between China and US ally the Philippines, with ties at their worst in years amid frequent standoffs that have sparked regional concerns they could spiral into conflict. The Philippines is vexed by the constant presence of China's coast guard in its exclusive economic zone, where both countries claim sovereignty over disputed features, including uninhabited sandbars, an atoll rich in fish stocks and a reef where Manila has troops stationed on a grounded navy ship. "I'm not saying they (arrangements) will necessarily take place, but anything within the scope of diplomatic means or peaceful means or co-operation is certainly within our template," Manalo told journalists on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Deals have been struck before, with the Philippines and China last year reaching a "provisional arrangement" for resupply missions to the grounded vessel at the Second Thomas Shoal after repeated flare-ups between rival vessels. China has accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters but denies allegations of aggressive conduct. Beijing has advocated for dialogue with Manila to manage disputes. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts of the EEZs of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. The stakes are high in the event of a miscalculation between Beijing and Manila, with the United States bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty to come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of any armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Manalo said the Philippines was determined to see how it could speed up negotiations for a code of conduct between Asean and Beijing on the South China Sea. All sides agreed in 2002 to draft a code but it took 15 years for them to initiate a process to start negotiations. Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn last week told Reuters all sides were committed to finalising the code by next year. The Philippines will chair Asean in 2026. In remarks to Asean leaders on Monday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for the adoption of a legally binding code to be accelerated. "This is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea," Marcos said. [[nid:718377]]
CNA
26-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Philippines open to more agreements with China to keep peace in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines is open to any additional agreements with Beijing that can help maintain peace in the South China Sea, its top diplomat said, amid unabated confrontations between them over disputed features. The South China Sea, a conduit for about US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne trade, remains a source of tension between China and US ally the Philippines, with ties at their worst in years amid frequent standoffs that have sparked regional concerns they could spiral into conflict. The Philippines is vexed by the constant presence of China's coast guard in its exclusive economic zone, where both countries claim sovereignty over disputed features, including uninhabited sandbars, an atoll rich in fish stocks and a reef where Manila has troops stationed on a grounded navy ship. "I'm not saying they (arrangements) will necessarily take place, but anything within the scope of diplomatic means or peaceful means or cooperation is certainly within our template," Manalo told journalists on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Deals have been struck before, with the Philippines and China last year reaching a "provisional arrangement" for resupply missions to the grounded vessel at the Second Thomas Shoal after repeated flare-ups between rival vessels. China has accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters but denies allegations of aggressive conduct. Beijing has advocated for dialogue with Manila to manage disputes. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts of the EEZs of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. The stakes are high in the event of a miscalculation between Beijing and Manila, with the United States bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty to come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of any armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Manalo said the Philippines was determined to see how it could speed up negotiations for a code of conduct between ASEAN and Beijing on the South China Sea. All sides agreed in 2002 to draft a code but it took 15 years for them to initiate a process to start negotiations. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn last week told Reuters all sides were committed to finalising the code by next year. The Philippines will chair ASEAN in 2026. In remarks to ASEAN leaders on Monday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for the adoption of a legally binding code to be accelerated.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Philippines open to more deals with China to keep peace in South China Sea, says top diplomat
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The Philippines is open to any additional agreements with Beijing that can help maintain peace in the South China Sea, its top diplomat said, amid unabated confrontations between them over disputed features. The South China Sea, a conduit for about US$3 trillion (RM12.66 trillion) of annual ship-borne trade, remains a source of tension between China and US ally the Philippines, with ties at their worst in years amid frequent standoffs that have sparked regional concerns they could spiral into conflict. The Philippines is vexed by the constant presence of China's coast guard in its exclusive economic zone, where both countries claim sovereignty over disputed features, including uninhabited sandbars, an atoll rich in fish stocks and a reef where Manila has troops stationed on a grounded navy ship. 'I'm not saying they (arrangements) will necessarily take place, but anything within the scope of diplomatic means or peaceful means or cooperation is certainly within our template,' Manalo told journalists on the sidelines of an Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Deals have been struck before, with the Philippines and China last year reaching a 'provisional arrangement' for resupply missions to the grounded vessel at the Second Thomas Shoal after repeated flare-ups between rival vessels. China has accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters but denies allegations of aggressive conduct. Beijing has advocated for dialogue with Manila to manage disputes. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts of the EEZs of Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines. The stakes are high in the event of a miscalculation between Beijing and Manila, with the United States bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty to come to the aid of the Philippines in the event of any armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Manalo said the Philippines was determined to see how it could speed up negotiations for a code of conduct between Asean and Beijing on the South China Sea. All sides agreed in 2002 to draft a code but it took 15 years for them to initiate a process to start negotiations. Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn last week told Reuters all sides were committed to finalising the code by next year. The Philippines will chair Asean in 2026. In remarks to Asean leaders today, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for the adoption of a legally binding code to be accelerated. 'This is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea,' Marcos said. — Reuters
