Joint Statement on the Ministerial Meeting between Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen, 18 May 2026.
1. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen held talks in The Hague on 18 May 2026 and affirmed their respective countries’ determination to further strengthen their partnerships on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. The Ministers committed to the regular conduct of high-level political and economic exchanges, notably through the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism and the Meeting of the Coordinating Authorities on Economic and Technological Cooperation; and to strengthen cooperation in defense/cybersecurity, maritime security, combating transnational crimes, trade and investment, smart agriculture, water management, semiconductor; sustainability and climate action, environment and renewable energy, critical raw materials, connectivity; academic cooperation; and people-to-people linkages.
3. They will work together to enhance bilateral trade and investment, promote business exchanges and facilitate mutual visits of trade delegations to each other’s countries.
4. Both sides expressed strong support for the timely conclusion of the Philippines–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, recognizing the potential of an FTA to significantly enhance trade and investment flows and overall economic cooperation.
5. Both sides will cooperate to enhance cooperation and knowledge-exchange in Law of the Sea and marine environmental protection and collaboration between the two countries’ diplomatic academies.
6. Noting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Netherlands’ policy paper, “Indo-Pacific: Guidelines for strengthening Dutch and EU cooperation with partners in Asia,” and, the “European Council Conclusions on the European Union Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” the two sides agreed to explore areas of cooperation in accordance with their shared strategic interests towards a more vigorous cooperation between countries in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
7. Further noting the Netherlands as a High Contracting Party to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and as Development Partner of ASEAN, the two sides committed to work together within the ASEAN framework to advance the collaboration in the Practical Cooperation Areas (2025-2029), including possible new areas of cooperation such as support to the planned ASEAN Maritime Centre in the Philippines.
8. The Ministers discussed the global impacts of security developments in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, and both countries recognise the importance of fostering security, stability and prosperity in the world.
9. The Ministers emphasized that utmost restraint, diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful settlement of disputes are the only durable paths to resolving conflicts and ensuring global stability.
10. The Ministers underscored the importance of maintaining stable, open, and reliable global energy supply chains and maritime trade routes, and the protection and well-being of seafarers and freedom of navigation.
11. The Ministers expressed concern over the challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea. They regard the Award in the South China Sea Arbitration of 12 July 2016 as legally binding and a significant contribution to international law and the interpretation and application of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They cited the importance of an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.
12. The Ministers underscored their commitment to international law, including the UN Charter, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
13. The Ministers agree to explore law enforcement cooperation, as well as legal cooperation particularly mutual legal assistance, extradition, and transfer of sentenced persons agreements.
14. The Ministers agreed to promote their countries’ shared values and aspirations in international affairs, such as promoting the rules-based international order, democracy and human rights, and sustainable trade and maritime security. They committed to sustain their coordination on these issues in various international forums and initiatives.