ASEM To Adopt Vientiane Declaration

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

VIENTIANE – Asian and European leaders yesterday reached a consensus to adopt the Vientiane Declaration during the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held here in Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic.

Section 5 of the Vientiane Declaration will serve as a reminder to ASEM leaders of their renewed commitment “to refrain from the act of threat or the use of force in any manner inconsistent with the United Nations (UN) charter and international law against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of any state and to seek peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue, negotiations and other means in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.”

President Benigno S. Aquino III joined 19 other Asian countries, 29 European countries, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of the ASEAN in adopting the Vientiane Declaration.

Aquino, himself, reiterated before Asian and European leaders the Philippine government’s commitment to resolve its diplomatic disputes against China over maritime and territorial issues before international lawmaking bodies, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“This effort is consistent with our country’s position on the disputes surrounding the West Philippine Sea, which is merely a portion of the South China Sea within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” Aquino said during his keynote address at the ASEM summit which was held at the National Convention Center, Lao PDR.

Aquino brought up the issue when the ASEM leaders tackled regional issues during the summit, and reiterated the country’s sovereignty over the so-called “highly contested body of water.”

Aquino, who attended the ASEM summit for the first time, said it is imperative that countries and stakeholders in the Asian region to work together to enhance maritime cooperation and security.

“This is an issue that, we believe, concerns even non-claimant countries. After all, this is an area through which 50,000 ships – many of them from Europe – pass annually, facilitating trade between all our countries and many others,” Aquino said at his keynote address.

“As such, its implications on freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce make it a priority issue not only for the Philippines and the region, but also for the wider international community,” the Chief Executive said.

Aquino emphasized to Asian and European leaders that the Philippines has always advocated a rules-based approach as the most “legitimate, most appropriate, and durable means” to address conflicting maritime and territorial claims” from the very beginning.

“This has not changed. We remain firmly committed to the fair and peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he stressed.

China has insisted that Scarborough Shoals or Panatag shoals as part of China’s inherent territory and claimed they have sufficient legal basis to prove ownership over that huge body of water.

China has also refuses to bring its claim on the Scarborough Shoals before the UNCLOS.

Besides the Philippines, other Asian nations, in particular, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei  also claim ownership of some parts of the West Philippine Sea.

Aquino said the Philippines is now looking forward to the early convening of negotiations on a legally binding regional Code of Conduct which was one of the agenda agreed upon when ASEAN leaders reached a consensus on the Six-Point Principle on the West Philippine Sea last July.

The Philippines looks forward to the early convening of negotiations on a legally binding regional Code of Conduct, parallel to the full and active implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Aquino, however, assured that despite its maritime conflict with China, which has somehow hurt bilateral relations between the two countries, both the Philippines and China remain committed to enhancing bilateral ties, towards the benefit of their peoples.

“Through measures such as these, founded on a collective desire for stability and on the importance of continued international engagement, we can best ensure that whatever tensions are present do not escalate into open conflict,” Aquino said.

“And this is an endeavor in which we must all take part. After all, it is in our collective interests to ensure peace, harmony, stability, and safety and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea. This is fundamental not only for the continued economic growth and prosperity of Asia, but for the rest of the world as well,” exhorted Aquino.

“In these times, where the state of individual economies and the stability of individual countries depend so much on events all over the world, it is becoming more important for us all to work together towards mutual progress, and towards a stable and peaceful ASEAN Community and Asia-Pacific region, which will, in the end, benefit the entire global community,”  he concluded.

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Philippines gets EU support on West Philippine Sea issue

Monday, November 5, 2012

THE European countries of Norway, Switzerland, European Council and European Commission on Monday expressed support for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's stand to resolve the longstanding territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea diplomatically and peacefully.

Presidential spokesperson Herminio Coloma Jr., who was with the President in Laos for the two-day 9th Asia-Europe Meeting, said that during the President's bilateral meetings with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Swiss Confederation President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, European Council Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Varroso, the four leaders supported the Philippines' position to resolve issues in the disputed area peacefully and in accordance with international laws.

"We noted the increased importance of maritime security in the West Philippine Sea and there was an agreement that it was a matter of international interest as a significant amount of trade passes by the West Philippine Sea," Coloma said.

"In particular, Switzerland and the EU and in part Norway indicated their firm support to our position that conflicts or disputes in that area are to be resolved peacefully and following international law and in particular there is firm support for an Asean-centric approach, which has always been the position of President Aquino considering four out of the 10 members states of Asean have specific stakes in the West Philippine Sea," he added.

"Therefore, the only logical approach to any conflict resolution will have to be multilateral and involving all stakeholders therein," he noted.

Coloma said Aquino underscored the importance of bilateral meetings as an opportunity for the Philippines to further enhance friendship and partnership with other countries.

"The President is in a very upbeat and optimistic mood. He is satisfied with the outcome of the bilateral meetings and he feels that this is an important opportunity for the country to enhance its friendship and partnership with the countries of both Europe and Asia," he said.

In the President's meeting with Stoltenberg, Coloma said the discussion centered on improving the working conditions of migrant Filipino workers, particularly in the healthcare sector.

"Norway confirmed its assurance for support in our efforts to land better jobs for Filipino migrant workers particularly in the healthcare sector in Norway and the easing or procedural improvements to create better opportunities for qualified Filipino workers," he said. 

He added that Norway the European Commission and the European Council had pledged their support for the country's bid to retain our standing in the International Maritime Organization white list.

"This means that we will be complying with all the requirements of the standards for training and certification watch-keeping of seafarers (STCW 198 Convention)," he said. 

The President also met with Swiss Confederation President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf where he extended the Philippines thanks for its assistance in "heightening" and further developing our expertise in disaster risk reduction and management.

Aquino's last meeting, a trilateral meeting with European Council President Herman Von Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at 11 a.m., centered on improving maritime security within the West Philippine Sea to ensure the safety of goods and people traversing the highly travelled body of water.

Coloma said all meetings the President had "went very well" with all discussions on "increased opportunities and intensified cooperation."

He said the three nations were "enthusiastic" in congratulating the Philippines for finally achieving peace in Mindanao with the signing of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

"We see this as a genuine opportunity for reaping peace dividends including increased investments into the Philippines and Mindanao in particular," Coloma said.

He added that in return, the Philippines expressed its support for the requests of Norway and Switzerland in its bid to become members of ASEM.

"And in reciprocity, we supported the requests of the various delegation with which we met, for Norway and Switzerland as they are joining the ASEM meetings and would like to become involved in the dialogues with Asean as future dialogue partners," Coloma said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

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ASEAN: Respect Of Int’l Laws Key To Maritime Security

By ROY C. MABASA

MANILA, Philippines — The Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emphasized the need to respect existing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other ASEAN initiated documents, in order to ensure regional maritime security and cooperation.

The declaration was made at the closing of the 3rd ASEAN Maritime Forum held at the historic landmark Manila Hotel which was attended by delegates representing the ten ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Other documents cited by the delegates to the forum that will enhance cross-sectoral maritime cooperation, in line with the activities listed in the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, include the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, the Bali Concords, the 1976 Treaty of Amity of Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the recent Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda F. Basilio, who stood as chair of the forum, said the ASEAN Member States highlighted recent concepts and trends on maintaining freedom of navigation and stressed the importance of recent developments in enhancing current cooperation activities aimed at addressing sea piracy on high seas and armed robbery at sea.

According to Basilio, the delegates also exchanged views on the protection of marine environment and promoting eco-tourism and fishery regime in East Asia.

She said the ASEAN member states also identified several best practices of cooperation that are being observed to protect marine resources and bring sustainable growth to communities that can potentially benefit from such cooperative activities.

They also discussed the future work of the ASEAN Maritime Forum by looking at the various recommendations from previous meetings of the AMF and the views shared by delegates and guests experts on cross-cutting maritime issues.

Basilio said the ASEAN Member States likewise recommended that the ASEAN Secretariat conduct a study and make recommendations on the potential institutionalization of the ASEAN Maritime Forum.

Finally, the ASEAN Member States agreed to hold the 4th ASEAN Maritime Forum and the 2nd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum in 2013.

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PH XI shocks defending champ Vietnam, 2-0

Cedelf P. Tupas

 

HANOI—Philippines skipper Aly Borromeo emerged from the dugout wearing a sheepish smile and shaking his head – apparently in disbelief.

If it took a while for the Philippines’ biggest win in football in recent years to sink in, it was understandable.

Long considered one of the weakest teams in Southeast Asia, the Filipinos achieved the improbable Sunday night when they shut out defending champion Vietnamese, 2-0, in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup at the My Dinh Stadium here.

Before a hostile crowd of close to 40,000, Chris Greatwich scored for the second straight game, before Phil Younghusband struck in the second half as the Filipinos pulled off the biggest upset in the 16-year history of the competition.

And for one chilly night, this football-mad Northern Vietnam city belonged to a Philippine team composed of local and foreign-bred players who entered the tournament with little expectations.

“Beating Vietnam is just unbelievable,” said Borromeo, who couldn’t help but look back at a time when the team was just struggling not to lose by big margins in the tournament.

“I just couldn’t believe that we made history. There was a time when we just struggled to get good results in this tournament.”

It was only the second win by the Filipinos in this tournament, after a 2-1 victory over Timor Leste in the 2004 tournament.

With four points from two matches, the Filipino booters now find themselves in an unlikely position at the top of the group, needing just a draw against Myanmar on Wednesday to advance to the home-and-away semifinals.

 “It’s a new era for Philippine football,” said team manager Dan Palami, who has been bankrolling the team since last year. “I’m just happy we are creating believers out of this team.”

The Filipinos can even top the group – a remote possibility a few weeks ago considering that the team needed to go through the qualifying stage – with a victory over the winless Burmese side.

The Filipinos’ upset of the Vietnamese muddled up the pre-tournament order that had Vietnam and Singapore advancing to the semifinals with ease. Vietnam, with three points because of its one-sided win over Myanmar, and Singapore, which also has four points after the 2-1 win over Myanmar last Sunday, play in a virtual knockout match on Wednesday.

A resolute defensive stand and timely counter-attacks keyed the Filipinos’ triumph against a Vietnamese side that smashed Myanmar, 7-1, Sunday.

“The players stuck to the plan, which was to eliminate the speed of Vietnam and score on the counter-attack,” said Palami. “The team has been very resilient and we have proven that against Singapore and now, Vietnam. We didn’t buckle to the pressure of playing against a big crowd and a really good Vietnamese team.”

Despite Vietnam owning the lion’s share of possession, it was the Philippines which conjured the first real chance when Borromeo fed Ian Araneta from a corner kick only for the Iloilo-born striker to hit the wrong side of the post in the 19th minute.

Anton del Rosario’s cross found an unmarked Greatwich, whose diving header in the 37th minute found the bottom corner and drowned the cheers of the huge crowd.

A last-minute addition to the team, Greatwich also scored in injury time to force the remarkable 1-1 draw against Singapore last Thursday.

Vietnam had at least three chances to claim an equalizer but they were either denied by an inspired Neil Etheridge or quelled by the stellar back four of Del Rosario, Borromeo Ray Jonnson and Rob Gier, who had played through despite a fever the past two days.

Roel Gener proved a worthy replacement for the injured Chieffy Caligdong, helping out in a compact midfield where Fil-Dutch Jason de Jong also made a solid contribution.

Etheridge bravely stopped a close-range rocket from substitute Trong Hoang Nguyen in the 64th minute in what was Vietnam’s clearest goal-scoring opportunity.

Doubtful on the day of the match because of food poisoning that forced him to stay up all night and vomit, Younghusband mustered enough strength to put the game to bed with a curling left-footed shot from 10 yards in the 79th minute.

The goal was a flowing move that started with Ian Araneta crossing the ball to a rushing Greatwich, who laid it off for Younghusband, who faked his defender to gain space to shoot.

“It was pleasing we were able to withstand the pressure,” said the Philippines’ English coach Simon McMenemy. “It was a total team effort. We were able to deny them space in the middle of the pitch. I said it before that I would be happy if we would be competitive and fortunately being competitive has given us four points here.” 

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Photo from 

AFF Suzuki Cup Website