The outcome documents of the recently concluded 2023 Group of Seven (G7) and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) summits in Japan strongly supported President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on his position to adhere to the international rules-based order and to maintain peace and stability in the region.
In a May 20-letter of Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko to Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, he reported the fruitful culmination of the twin summits hosted by Japan with consequential decisions encompassing matters related to the Philippines.
Koshikawa said that during the G7 summit, the leaders reaffirmed their determination to meet global challenges and further champion shared international principles and values.
In order to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the leaders underscored their commitment to strengthen coordination with regional partners, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The G7 leaders also stressed that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea and strongly opposed its militarization in the region. Underlining the universal character of the UNCLOS and its pivotal role in setting out the legal framework in all activities in the oceans and seas,” Koshikawa’s letter read.
“Significantly, the leaders reiterated the legally binding Arbitral Tribunal award rendered on 12 July 2016 as a significant milestone as a basis for peaceful resolvement of disputes between the parties. Furthermore, they affirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and agreed to foster resilience to economic coercion.”
During the QUAD meeting, Japan’s foreign ministry said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed serious concerns about attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the Indo-Pacific, including the East and South China Seas. QUAD leaders shared the view that they strongly oppose such attempts.
On the other hand, during the May 20-QUAD Summit, the leaders reaffirmed their vision of a peaceful, prosperous and stable region, where nations respect sovereignty and are free from any form of intimidation and coercion, the Japanese ambassador said.
With an eye to the future, the leaders, Koshikawa said, committed to adhere to four principles during the summit. Among these principles are investing in the future prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, maintaining and strengthening stability in the region in accordance to international law, and working towards a stronger and enhanced multilateral system.
Other principles are respect for the centrality, agency and leadership of regional institutions while firmly working transparently alongside each other in open dialogue to deliver responsive and sustained economic and social value.
“By working together in creating a brighter future for all, the decisive actions in the summits concretize steps towards upholding an international order based on the rule of law and strengthening outreach to the Global South,” Koshikawa said.
The G7 is an informal bloc of industrialized democracies—the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom (UK)—that meets annually to discuss issues such as global economic governance, international security, and energy policy.
On the other hand, the QUAD is a security dialogue between the US, Australia, India, and Japan. All democracies and vibrant economies, member countries tackle security, economic, and health issues. (PND)
