EU, 16 member states reaffirm support for WPS arbitral ruling on 7th year

The European Union flag. (File photo from Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union delegation in the Philipines and 16 of the 27 EU member countries issued a joint statement on Tuesday reaffirming their support for the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration recognizing the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea.

The ruling — which marks its seventh anniversary on Wednesday, July 12 — invalidated the claim of China using its nine-dash line.

The case was filed by the Philippines under the administration of Benigno Aquino III in 2013, and the ruling came out during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. China has refused to recognize the ruling.

The countries whose embassies issued the statement issued on Tuesday were Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia (non-resident), Finland, and Sweden

Following is their complete statement:

“12 July marks the seventh anniversary of the Award issued by the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the arbitration instituted by the Republic of the Philippines against the People’s Republic of China concerning the South China Sea.

“The EU recalls that the dispute settlement mechanisms provided under UNCLOS contribute to the maintenance and furthering of the international order based upon the rule of law and are essential to settle disputes.

“The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties.

“The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight.

“The EU is committed to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific, in full compliance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, in the interest of all.”

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