Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and the Netherlands vowed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, human rights, and the rules-based international order during high-level talks in The Hague, Netherlands.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen as both countries commemorated 75 years of diplomatic relations.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the two ministers committed to continue promoting “the shared values and aspirations of the Philippines and the Netherlands in international affairs.”
These include “promoting the rules-based international order, democracy and human rights, and sustainable trade and maritime security,” the DFA said.
The two sides also discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific, including tensions in the South China Sea.
“The Ministers regard the Award in the South China Sea Arbitration of 12 July 2016 as legally binding and a significant contribution to international law and the interpretation and application of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the DFA said.
The Philippines and the Netherlands likewise emphasized the importance of “utmost restraint, diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful settlement of disputes” in addressing global conflicts and ensuring stability.
Berendsen said both countries exchanged views on “protecting the international rules-based order and upholding the law of the sea.”
Lazaro, for her part, said Manila is looking forward to sustained maritime cooperation with the Netherlands “both in ASEAN and in the multilateral fora.”
Aside from maritime security, both countries committed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, renewable energy, water management, semiconductors, climate action, and supply-chain resilience.
The visit marked the first official trip by a Philippine foreign affairs secretary to the Netherlands in 33 years.
