Philippines, EU to set up security and defence dialogue

Key Concepts

• Security and Defence Dialogue: A new platform for cooperation and expertise exchange between the Philippines and the European Union (EU).
• Emerging Threats: Cyber attacks, foreign interference, and information manipulation.
• Partnership and Cooperation Agreement: The foundation for the dialogue, established in 2012 and in force since 2018.
• Chinese Malign Influence Operations: Perceived efforts by China to spread disinformation and exert undue influence in the Philippines.
• UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): The legal basis for the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling against China's claims in the South China Sea.
• Like-minded Partners: Countries with shared values and interests, with whom the Philippines seeks to deepen engagement.
• Visiting Forces Agreements: Agreements with countries like Canada, France, and New Zealand to enhance cooperation.
• Cybersecurity and Maritime Security: Key areas of focus in the Philippines' partnerships.

Security and Defence Dialogue

• The Philippines and the EU have agreed to initiate a security and defence dialogue to address emerging threats.
• The dialogue aims to deepen cooperation, exchange expertise, and explore joint initiatives for regional and global security.
• The focus is on addressing threats that transcend borders, including cyber attacks, foreign interference, and information manipulation.
• The dialogue builds upon the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement established in 2012 and enforced in 2018.
• The announcement was made after discussions at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore between Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and EU diplomat Jutta Urpilainen.

Emerging Threats and Challenges

• The dialogue will proactively address emerging security threats and challenges.
• Cybersecurity is a key area of concern, but the dialogue covers broader aspects, including maritime security.
• Philippine officials have repeatedly highlighted concerns about Chinese malign influence operations in the Philippines.
• While official statements did not explicitly mention China, the context of these concerns is important.

Deepening Engagements with Partners

• The Philippines is deepening its engagement in cybersecurity with the United States and Japan.
• A Senate hearing led by Senator Francis Tolentino investigated a local public relations firm allegedly contracted by the Chinese embassy to create pro-China narratives. The firm denied the allegation.
• The Philippines is working to deepen engagements with like-minded partners beyond its Mutual Defense Treaty Alliance with the United States.
• This includes trilateral engagements with Japan and Australia, as well as visiting forces agreements with Canada, France, and New Zealand.
• Secretary Teodoro met with European partners from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Lithuania.

Maritime Security and UNCLOS

• Maritime security is a key focus in the Philippines' partnerships.
• Secretary Teodoro has emphasized the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• UNCLOS was the basis of the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated China's nine-dash line (now ten-dash line) claim in the South China Sea.

Conclusion

The security and defence dialogue between the Philippines and the EU represents a significant step towards addressing emerging security threats, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and maritime security. It reflects the Philippines' broader strategy of deepening engagements with like-minded partners to safeguard its interests and uphold international law, particularly in the context of concerns about Chinese influence and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.