DFA Releases

Phl, Japan to Hold Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation

Thursday, 21 February 2013 10:05
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21 February 2013 - The Philippines and Japan will hold the 2nd Dialogue on Maritime and Oceanic Affairs on Friday, February 22, at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Main Building in Pasay City.

The Philippine delegation will be headed by Assistant Secretary Gilberto G.B. Asuque, DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns, as Chair, and Special Assistant Henry Bensurto, DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, as Co-Chair. The Japanese delegation will be headed by Mr. Kenji Kanasugi, Deputy Director-General for Southwest and Southeast Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The Philippine delegation will also be composed of representatives from the DFA, Department of National Defense, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The Japanese delegation will be composed of representatives from MOFA, Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy of the Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Defense and the Coast Guard.

During the meeting, the two countries will discuss various areas of cooperation particularly in maritime safety, maritime security, anti-piracy measures, fisheries and marine scientific research.

The first dialogue on maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Japan was held in Tokyo on 09 September 2011. It was headed by Assistant Secretary Asuque and Special Assistant Bensurto. END

 

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Statement on China’s Response to the Philippines’ Arbitration Case

Tuesday, 19 February 2013 19:35
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19 February 2013

The Department received this afternoon from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing a Note Verbale stating that China rejects and returns the Philippines’ Notification and Statement of Claim.

The Department stresses that China’s action will not interfere with the process of Arbitration initiated by the Philippines on 22 January 2013. The Arbitration will proceed under Annex VII of UNCLOS and the 5-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China.

In its Note Verbale, China reiterated its often stated position that it has indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea encompassed by its 9-dash line claim. This excessive claim is the core issue of the Philippines’ arbitration case against China.

The Philippines remains committed to Arbitration which is a friendly, peaceful and durable form of dispute settlement that should be welcomed by all. END

 

 
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