MANILA, Philippines – Strengthening alliances and defense partnerships to uphold international order in Asia is a “step in the right direction” amidst repeated dangerous maritime aggression in the disputed waters in the South China Sea, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said.
The top Slovenian official is visiting Manila with a 40-member delegation and held a joint press briefing with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo.
According to Fajon, although Asia has no NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)-like grouping, building alliances that promotes international law provides a regional safeguard.
“Slovenia as being a part of NATO alliance is the best guarantee we have for our collective security, and I believe every alliance that provides security in a peaceful manner through the dialogue and strengthen our values is a way to go for,” she said.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon answers questions from the media during a joint press briefing in Manila on Tuesday (11 March 2025). Photo courtesy of Karen A. Ow-Yong / DZRH
According to the NATO official website, it currently has 32 member-states, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, most European countries, including Slovenia, and has political and military alliances; and collective defense as some of its basic points.
When asked how crucial is it for Asia to establish a NATO-like alliance to deter possible regional crises similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Fajon stressed that “any initiative that promotes security, peace and solidarity among the countries in the region is a step in the right direction.”
Manalo clarified that there are no formal discussions on establishing a NATO-like security bloc in Asia by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which the Philippines is a member, but reiterated that trilateral and multilateral blocs of like-minded states will be the most suitable for the needs of the region today.
“I think what will happen is that each region will just eventually find out which is the best type of arrangement which these members can live with in addressing the security challenges,” Manalo said.
Aggressive actions and confrontations in the South China Sea, particularly between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards and Navies have been escalating recently, despite an arbitral ruling invalidating Beijing’s claims.
Without mentioning China, Fajon expressed concern over dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels and called such actions a violation of international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.
“We call upon all states to conduct the maritime activities in accordance with UNCLOS and to settle their maritime disputes peacefully and free from coercion,” said Fajon.
“Maintaining a free, secure, peaceful and stable South China Sea should be a priority for all,” she added.
For his part, Manalo expressed appreciation for Slovenia’s support for Manila’s call to concerned parties to respect international law in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines is fully committed in defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, but at the same time engaging China towards [the] de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
Elevating Slovenia-PH bilateral relations
Fajon is committed to elevating the bilateral relationship with the Philippines on various areas, such as trade and investments, space cooperation, science and technology, sports, energy security and people-to-people exchanges.
Slovenia is set to open its embassy in Manila on Wednesday – the first in the country and its only diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia, signaling a positive trajectory in Philippines-Slovenia bilateral relations.
Fajon will lead the opening of its embassy, which she considers “historic” and is the “beginning of a renewed, very promising relationship between the two countries.”
