(MENAFN- The Peninsula) President Benigno Aquino will seek European support for Philippine efforts to resolve maritime territorial disputes with China during a week-long visit to EU nations, including France and Germany, a foreign ministry official said yesterday.
Aquino will also raise a proposal to stop China from escalating tensions in the strategically-vital South China Sea, Assistant to secretary Zeneida Collinson said.
'In all meetings starting with Spain, we will seek their continued support on the Philippine position in the West Philippine Sea,' she said, using the local term for the South China Sea.
'It's important for our president to have the opportunity to apprise world leaders directly on what is happening in... the South China Sea,' when he visits Spain, Belgium, France and Germany from September 13 to 20.'
Such support can be 'tacit' and did not need to be contained in a formal document, she added.
China claims almost all of South China Sea, a vital shipping lane and fishing ground believed to hold vast mineral resources.
This conflicts with the territorial claims of the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Tensions between the Philippines and China have risen as Beijing has pressed its claim, citing 'historical facts' and occupying and fortifying outcrops and islets.
Last month, the Philippines protested at China's increasing patrols in the Reed Bank, the site of a confrontation between vessels from both countries in 2012.
While the poorly-equipped Philippine military cannot match China, Aquino has resorted to diplomatic and legal means, including an arbitration case before a UN tribunal. China has refused to participate.
Collinson said the Europeans had supported the Philippines in seeking a 'peaceful resolution of conflict.'
During his talks with European leaders, Aquino will also bring up his 'triple action plan' calling on China and other claimants to halt provocative actions.
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