Phl, Germany share same values on territorial integrity, says minister

MANILA, Philippines - Espousing the principle of territorial integrity and citing the Philippines’ support for a UN resolution declaring the recent Crimean referendum invalid, German State Minister Maria Bohmer said yesterday that the Philippines and Germany share the same values.

Bohmer said the sharing of values shows the good relations between the two countries are not limited to trade volume.

She said her visit to the Philippines was meant to continue the tradition started by German officials, including former Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Employment Minister Ursula von der Leyen. Bohmer said her meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday showed how good and intense the relations between the two countries are. 

She witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) at Malacañang, which made her first visit to the country significant.

Germany supports the peace process through assistance in development projects. 

She cited the Philippines for supporting a UN resolution declaring a Crimean referendum, which led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, invalid as it urged the parties to immediately pursue a peaceful resolution of the situation.            

“It’s very important to respect the territorial integrity and not to pass over boundaries,” she said.             

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines voted in favor of the resolution based on its principles on sovereignty, territorial integrity, rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes. 

The Philippines called on all parties to respect the UN Charter and international law.

Bohmer said Europe has a clear and common position on the Crimean issue.           “We share the same position and we’re prepared to consider a third sanction depending on the development,” she said.

“We have to observe step by step how the matter develops but the annexation has to be answered or responded with sanctions,” she added. During her meeting with Del Rosario, Bohmer stressed the importance of a peaceful resolution to the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as she reiterated her country’s support for a rules-based approach on the issue.     

“We also have high interest on free and safe navigation. The conflict in the South China Sea has to be solved peacefully and I hope the ASEAN countries will be able to talk with China to solve the problem,” she said. Asked about China’s unilateral actions on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, she said: “Our basic position is to go along with the rule of law and to always exhaust the possibility of a dialogue.”