MONGOLIA yesterday expressed support for the Philippines’ effort to resolve disputes through peaceful means, with both countries stressing that the rule of law must prevail amid the evolving security landscape in the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told reporters that he and visiting Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh emphasized the importance of adhering to the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
Both also affirmed their country’s commitment to a rules-based international order.
“Beyond our economic ties, the Philippines and Mongolia are Asian democracies bound by shared values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. In this context, we reaffirmed our shared interest in the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape and in defending the rules-based international order,” Manalo said after meeting with his Mongolian counterpart.
The Mongolian official is on a two-day visit to Manila.
Battsetseg is also scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Senate President Francis Escudero.
The DFA chief said he and Battsetseg also renewed their commitment to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was signed by 162 nations, including the Philippines and Mongolia.
UNCLOS has been used as one of the bases of Manila’s case against Beijing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, challenging the latter’s excessive claim in the South China Sea, including areas that overlap with the Philippines and other countries’ territorial waters.
The arbitral panel ruled in favor of Manila in 2016, saying that Beijing’s claim through its nine-dash line theory has no historical or legal basis. But Beijing refused to abide by the ruling and maintained that only bilateral talks could address the maritime territorial dispute.
Beijing has also maintained a sizable fleet of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the disputed waters, which has figured in several confrontations with Philippine vessels.
Manalo also said: “I have just exchanged with Minister Battsetseg diplomatic notes pertaining to a pilot program for Mongolians to study English in the Philippines, which the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines will organize.”
Battsetseg said her country recognizes Manila’s leadership in English-language education.
“This initiative also draws upon the Philippines’ international technology expertise and is aimed at enhancing the skills of Mongolian youth and civil servants, especially in global areas, contributing to our national objective of inclusive regional development,” Battsetseg added.
