Estonian parliamentary committee in Philippines: A rules-based world order is in everyone's interest

TALLINN – While discussing the security situation during meetings in the Philippines, a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) emphasized that a rules-based world order, along with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, is in the interest of both countries.

According to the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Marko Mihkelson, the focus of the meetings was the geopolitical situation and how major conflicts are interconnected. "Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, the conflict involving Iran, the situation in the South China Sea – they all have common denominators," he noted.

Mihkelson added that they also discussed how to cooperate at a time when the world is undergoing major changes. "We acknowledged that we share many similar understandings of world affairs. A rules-based world order is in both our interests."

The meetings covered Estonia's experience in developing e-governance services and cybersecurity, and it was noted that all prerequisites are in place to implement the memorandum of cooperation in the digital field signed in February. Also discussed were the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the European Union and the Philippines, which have reached their final stages.

"We hope that the agreement will be officially signed and enforced soon, as recent free trade agreements have benefited both sides," Mihkelson said.

Additionally, cooperation in international organizations was discussed. The Philippines holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year and is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

In Manila, the Foreign Affairs Committee delegation met with the chairman of the Philippine Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Erwin Tulfo; senators Loren Legarda and Bam Aquino; the vice-chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Dino Tanjuatco; and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro. The delegation also held meetings with the European Union ambassador and representatives from the Department of Defense, the Office of the President, and business organizations.

From Manila, the MPs will travel to Japan to meet with the chairman and members of the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs, Konosuke Kokuba; members of the Japan-Estonia parliamentary friendship group; and the chairman of the House of Councillors' Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, Ryuji Satomi.

The MPs will also have meetings at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Tokyo. Additionally, the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with representatives of several diplomatic missions and think tanks.

The Foreign Affairs Committee delegation, which, in addition to its chairman, includes members Ester Karuse, Eerik-Niiles Kross, and Henn Põlluaas, is visiting the Philippines and Japan from March 29 to April 3.