Germany is urging all parties involved in the South China Sea situation to “refrain from using violence” as it closely monitors the escalating tensions in the area.
In a media event in Makati City on Tuesday, German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke stressed that Berlin supports the Philippines in upholding international law and rules-based order in the South China Sea.
The German envoy said they are closely monitoring the recent developments in the maritime area which is also crucial to international trade and supply chain.
“Every time you had an incident in the South China Sea. Germany stands with the Philippines and underlines the importance of international rules based- order,” said Pfaffernoschke.
He said that what is happening in the South China Sea is a concern not only for the Philippines but also for the international community, adding that Germany will be joining the upcoming PH-US Balikatan exercises for the first time.
“Stability in the South China Sea is a key issue and we are concerned and we appeal to all parties to refrain from violence and find peaceful solutions,” he added.
Asked if Germany is willing to join multilateral patrols in the South China Sea following the recently- concluded multilateral maritime cooperative activity involving the Philippines, United States, Japan and Australia, the envoy said it’s a matter of “willingness and capability”.
“The willingness is something we have to consider carefully but we also have limits. We are not a maritime power as is France, as is Australia as is the US in this region,” he said.
Germany to send observer in PH-US Balikatan exercises for the first time
Ambassador Pfaffernoschke also disclosed that Germany will be participating in the annual Philippine-US war games or Balikatan exercises this year by sending an observer.
“For the first time, we will send an observer,” he said.
“The Philippine government has invited us for the first time and we reply positively and we will send an observer for the first time and see what comes next,” the envoy added.
In a separate statement, the US Embassy said more than 16,000 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military will train in this year’s exercises.
The Australian Defence Force and the French Navy will also join the exercise as participants.
Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam will be sending observers to the military exercises
