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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, is continuing his working visit to the Philippines. On 23 July, the head of Lithuania's diplomacy met with the leadership of the Philippine Coast Guard at its Manila headquarters.

The meeting focused on the security situation in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, challenges facing the region, and the importance of upholding international law and freedom of navigation. They also discussed growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, hybrid threats, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the need to strengthen international cooperation to ensure maritime security.

“Lithuania consistently supports an international order based on international law. Compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes are essential conditions for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Budrys.

The Minister emphasised that Lithuania and the Philippines, although geographically distant, face similar challenges—increasing pressure on the rules-based international order, attempts to unilaterally alter established norms of international law, and growing hybrid threats.

“Today, security in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific is closely linked. Violations of international law, economic pressure, disinformation campaigns, or threats to freedom of navigation in one region have consequences for global security and stability,” noted Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed opportunities to strengthen dialogue between Lithuanian and Philippine institutions in the areas of maritime security, resilience to hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The Philippine Coast Guard plays a vital role in ensuring the country’s maritime security, safeguarding shipping lanes, conducting search and rescue operations, and contributing to the maintenance of a rules-based order in the region.