Makati City: The European Union (EU) rejects any use of coercion and is willing to defend international law in Asia Pacific, including the South China Sea (SCS) issue, its top diplomat said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized the EU's stance against unilateral changes to the status quo, particularly through coercive means, during a joint press conference. Kallas stated, "We reject any unilateral changes to the status quo, including the use of coercion." She further underscored the EU's commitment to supporting partners who uphold international law, emphasizing the significance of defending legal principles on the global stage.

Kallas was addressing inquiries about the EU's response to Chinese actions in the Asia Pacific, specifically regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea. She highlighted the interconnectedness of security issues in the Indo-Pacific and Europe, rejecting calls from the US for European allies to concentrate solely on European security.

The Philippines has recently criticized China for its aggressive actions, including the use of water cannons against Filipino vessels near Sandy Cay, a territory under Philippine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. At the same press conference, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo acknowledged China's actions as a "security challenge" for the Philippines and stressed the importance of addressing these issues through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy.

Manalo also mentioned the Philippines' efforts to strengthen security cooperation with other partners such as the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. During a lunch meeting, both Kallas and Manalo reiterated their commitment to non-aggression, sovereign equality, and the territorial integrity of nations, reaffirming their support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.