PH, Mongolia ‘affirm support’ for UNCLOS during minister’s Manila visit 

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The landlocked nation, surrounded by Russia and China on both sides, reaffirms its commitment to the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes and UNCLOS

MANILA, Philippines — Both the Philippines and Mongolia reiterated Monday, May 19, their commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), during Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh’s visit to Manila. 

“Both sides emphasized adherence to the United Nations Charter and reaffirmed their commitment to the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes,” the two countries said in a joint statement. 

“Recognizing the critical importance of freedom of navigation and transit to economic growth and security, both sides reaffirmed support for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” read the joint statement. 

Battsetseg is in Manila from May 19 to 20 for the first official visit of a Mongolian foreign minister since 1984, or back when the Philippines was under the rule of the first President Marcos, the late dictator and namesake of current President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

While in the Philippines, Battsetseg called on Marcos and will meet with Senate President Francis Escudero. 

Ahead of the press conference, Manalo and Battsetseg exchanged diplomatic notes for a “pilot program” that would allow Mongolians to study English in the Philippines. 

“Just as the Philippines pursues an independent foreign policy, I note with much interest Mongolia’s ‘Third Neighbor Policy’ and the high importance it has been putting on its relations with the Philippines, in its efforts to assert its strategic agency, an aspiration, and this is most welcome,” said Manalo in the joint press conference. 

Watch the briefing in full here: 

– Rappler.com