Alliances upholding global order in Asia 'a step in the right direction' — Slovenia deputy PM

Building alliances and defense partnerships to uphold international order in Asia is a “step in the right direction,” a top Slovenian official said Tuesday and called the dangerous maritime aggression in the West Philippine Sea unlawful and “disturbing.”

The idea of an Asian NATO of like-minded states has been proposed as a deterrent to a regional armed conflict, but some say that the establishment of such a security bloc may not be feasible due to differing alliances and capabilities.

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, currently in Manila for talks with Philippine counterpart Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, said although Asia has no NATO-like grouping, building alliances that promote international law provides a regional safeguard.

“Slovenia being a part of the NATO alliance is the best guarantee we have for our collective security, and I believe every alliance that provides security in a peaceful manner through dialogue and strengthens our values is the way to go,” she said at a joint press briefing with Manalo.

NATO, a 32-nation military alliance that includes the United States and mostly European countries, including Slovenia, vowed to defend each other against external attacks.

“Any initiative that promotes security, peace, and solidarity among the countries in the region is a step in the right direction,” Fajon said when asked how crucial it is for Asia to establish a NATO-like alliance to deter a regional crisis similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

There are no formal discussions within existing Asian groupings, such as in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which the Philippines is a member, on the establishment of the security bloc, Manalo said.

In the absence of such grouping, he said that trilateral and multilateral blocs of like-minded states are “the most suitable for our needs today.”

“I think what will happen is that each region will just eventually find out which is the best type of arrangement that these members can live with in addressing the security challenges,” Manalo said.

Confrontations in the South China Sea, virtually claimed by China in its entirety, have become more frequent the past few years between Philippine and Chinese coast guards and navies despite an arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s stance. The disputes, feared as Asia’s next potential flashpoint for a major armed conflict, also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

To reinforce its claim, the stretch of waters in the South China Sea closer to the Philippines’ western coast was renamed the West Philippine Sea by Manila.

Fajon said Slovenia stands in “full solidarity with the Philippines” amid “continuing incidents” in its “exclusive economic zone” and noted that the landmark arbitral case won by the Philippines against China “is of paramount importance.”

Without naming China, she also deplored the dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels, saying it violates international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

“We call upon all states to conduct the maritime activities in accordance with UNCLOS and to settle their maritime disputes peacefully and free from coercion,” said Fajon.

“Maintaining a free, secure, peaceful, and stable South China Sea should be a priority for all.”

Manalo thanked Fajon for Slovenia’s support for Manila’s call for adherence to international law in the South China Sea as the country confronts an increasingly assertive China.

“The Philippines is fully committed to defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, but at the same time engaging China towards the escalation through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.

Manila has been bolstering its defense alliances with several nations, such as Japan, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region.

Slovenia, Fajon said, is committed to elevating its bilateral partnership with the Philippines in various areas, such as trade and investments, energy security, space cooperation, science and technology, sports, and people-to-people exchange. Fajon will lead the opening of its embassy in Manila on Wednesday—the first in the country and its only diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia.

Slovenia is also looking forward to hiring more workers from the Philippines, she added.

“This historic visit marks the beginning of a renewed, very promising relationship between our two countries,” Fajon said.

The positive trajectory of Philippines-Slovenia bilateral relations, Manalo said, “is largely a result of our shared values and an alignment of views on regional and global issues.”—VBL, GMA Integrated News