Manila, Philippines – The Philippines acknowledged the statement made by the Group of Seven during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, where the organization reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific Region anchored in the rule of law.
And G7 strongly opposes the use of any force and coercion in the South China Sea.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippines shares the G7’s view on the importance of maritime security and prosperity for global stability, economic resilience, and order among all nations.
This includes Manila’s insistence on the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The DFA also said it joins the G7 in expressing serious concern over dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning, and any obstruction to the free navigation of ships in the South China Sea.
The DFA thanked the G7 for calling for security, stability, and prosperity in the region, including in the South China Sea, and for emphasizing the importance of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The G7 said it strongly opposes any attempt to change the status quo through force, and coercion particularly in the East China and South China Seas.
Likewise the recognition of the group the countries compromises of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the Arbitration Award as the basis for the peaceful management and resolution of maritime disputes.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News