This announcement was made by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs following a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday of the first subcommittee on maritime cooperation under the Philippine-European Union partnership and cooperation agreement.

The two sides expressed serious concern over unilateral actions that endanger peace, security, and stability and the rules-based international order. The activities include those which damage the seabed and marine environment, interfere with the livelihoods of fishing communities, and undermine the Philippines' food security, it said.

The Philippines and the EU agreed that disputes must be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS. They stressed the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states.

The Philippines and the EU renewed their commitment to improve their bilateral maritime cooperation and to further their cooperation in and through multilateral and regional forums and organizations, including through ASEAN.

They underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of states, and their maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.