EU and Philippines: Partners in maritime security for a more secure Indo-Pacific region

A number of recent incidents in the South China Sea have again resulted in mounting tensions and a deterioration of the maritime security environment. This poses a serious threat to the peaceful economic development of the region and the entire world, and it undermines regional stability and international norms.

The European Union has been steadfast in its support for the rules-based international order and demands that the UN Charter, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant international norms relating to the safety of life at sea, as well as the Arbitration Award of 2016, should be upheld and respected at all times. We strongly oppose illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions in the South China Sea and welcome frank and sincere diplomatic engagements in this regard. Maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with the dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS. The European Union remains committed to supporting its partners seeking to exercise their legitimate rights, in the region and beyond.

Given today’s complex geopolitical environment, EU cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region is critical. The region is of key strategic importance to the EU, both economically and geopolitically. Key waterways – such as the West Philippine Sea, the Malacca Straits and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – are of vital importance to EU trade, with 40 percent of EU foreign trade passing through the South China Sea alone. Maritime security in the area is therefore highly important for the EU, as it affects not only the maritime domain but also areas such as growth, energy and transport, supply chains, tourism and access to marine resources and critical infrastructure. Our futures are highly interconnected and interdependent.

We therefore know that security cooperation, especially in the maritime area, is mutually beneficial, despite our geographically remote locations. The EU and the Philippines share a long-standing partnership that has evolved into a robust framework of collaboration. During our recent bilateral consultations on maritime cooperation, due to take place yearly, we highlighted specific areas for further engagement and cooperation on a range of maritime issues. These include the sectors of maritime domain awareness, regional security, addressing non-traditional security threats, coast guard cooperation.

One of the EU’s primary contributions to maritime security in the Philippines is its support for improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). MDA refers to the ability to monitor and understand activities in a country’s maritime spaces, which is critical for responding to threats like illegal fishing, smuggling and territorial incursions. Through its CRIMARIO project, the EU has provided funding, technology and training for Philippine maritime agencies to improve surveillance capabilities. One of the main elements of the project is a data-sharing system in order to allow for increased inter-agency cooperation to track and respond to maritime activities and incidents, thereby enhancing collective security.

Furthermore, the Philippines has become a partner country of the EU’s Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA) project. ESIWA will facilitate peer-to-peer dialogues between EU and Philippine maritime experts to share knowledge and expertise on the management of and approach to maritime challenges.

These projects are only the beginning of a maritime partnership that continues to expand. Further possibilities for additional cooperation were discussed during recent high-level contacts between representatives from the EU’s Diplomatic Service and Philippine government agencies. While the EU and the Philippines can share expertise and build the capacities of our maritime agencies in even more areas, such as the protection of submarine cables, the EU is also exploring the possibility of providing additional support. In the meanwhile, the EU already supports the efforts of its member-states to ensure that their naval assets are also present in the region, including in the South China Sea, thus increasing the EU’s capacity to act as a reliable partner.

A strong partnership between the EU and the Philippines in maritime security is a cornerstone for fostering stability, sustainability and sovereignty in an increasingly complex maritime landscape. By combining the EU’s expertise in upholding international law and advancing sustainable practices with the Philippines’ strategic position and local knowledge, this collaboration addresses shared challenges such as territorial disputes, illegal fishing and environmental degradation.

Beyond enhancing the Philippines’ maritime capabilities, this partnership reinforces the broader Indo-Pacific commitment to a rules-based international order, ensuring that the world’s seas remain open, secure and governed by mutual respect. Together, the EU and the Philippines are not just securing waters – they are charting a course for peace, prosperity and resilience in the region and beyond.

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Massimo Santoro is the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines.