Philippines, UK reaffirm commitment to rules-based order

The Philippines and the United Kingdom on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order as the two countries seek to build on the progress made in their bilateral relations.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told reporters following his meeting with visiting British counterpart David Lammy in Manila that they exchanged views on regional and global issues, ''determined to find more common ground in emphasizing our commitment to democracy, international law, and a rules-based international order.''

"We are countries that are committed to international law. We are countries that are committed to the rules-based order. We are countries that take our obligations under the UN Charter seriously," Lammy said.

Lammy, who also met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang, added that both countries have stood together in supporting Ukraine and advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

''I express the Philippines’ appreciation for the UK’s firm support of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, and we welcome the UK’s Indo-Pacific Approach towards a more deliberate engagement in the region, including the Philippines. We are as invested as the UK and other friends and partners in making the Indo-Pacific an engine of growth and prosperity,'' Manalo said.

Amid rising tensions in South China Sea and confrontations with China, the Philippines has been broadening its security partnerships while maintaining its long-standing alliance with treaty ally the United States.

The two countries signed the Philippines-UK Joint Framework that is envisioned to chart the depth and direction of their Enhanced Partnership across various areas in the coming years.

"Today, we're charting a new course for our relationship amidst a lot of global volatility, and we must strengthen ties with like-minded partners, like the Philippines," Lammy said.

Manalo said they agreed to sustain cooperation on matters of pressing mutual concern such as defense and security, human rights, maritime, and economic resilience.

''We are working on a number of proposed agreements, such as an Implementing Arrangement under our 2024 MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Defense Cooperation and an MOU on information sharing concerning improving our maritime domain awareness,'' Manalo said.

''Recognizing the gains of both the Philippines and the UK, we agreed to continue participation and exchanges in joint military exercises and maritime patrols, as well as port calls of British naval vessels. Last year, we welcomed the two visits of HMS Spey, an offshore patrol vessel of the Royal Navy,'' he added.

The two countries will launch the inaugural PH-UK Joint Economic Committee (JETCO) meeting in London later this month, aimed at further developing cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, and energy, including renewables.

''We anticipate the continuous growth of UK investments in the country, particularly in renewable energy, with recent investments from the United Kingdom in solar power projects amounting to more than US$600 million. We are committed to maximizing the potential of partnership with the UK on offshore wind farms in the country,'' Manalo said.

''The proposed PH-UK agreement on financial cooperation will particularly unlock a £5.2 billion credit facility for the Philippines through the UK Export Finance, on 15 key sectors including agriculture, transportation, ICT, water sanitation, and health.''

Manalo also acknowledged the UK for its humanitarian support after tropical cyclones hit the Philippines last year and for being ''dedicated partners in bringing sustained peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.''

''Later this year, we will also hold the next iteration of our sectoral dialogue mechanisms on defense, maritime, and climate and environment, and possibly conclude various agreements in defense and security, ICT, maritime, and financial cooperation,'' he said.

''On climate change financing strategy, we are negotiating an MOU on financing climate change adaptation and resilience projects that may also involve local governments and business communities,'' he added.

Manila and London will mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.  — with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News