MANILA, Philippines- Masusing pinag-aaralan ang posibleng trilateral mechanism sa pagitan ng Pilipinas, Japan, at India, na naglalayong palakasin ang seguridad, ekonomiya, teknolohiya at development cooperation.
Sinabi ni Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Theresa Lazaro na ang naturang arrangement “presents enormous opportunities for these countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region, not only on the prospect of new ‘strategic partnerships’ and security architecture, but also on economic and development ventures.”
“This partnership can help drive the economic engines of these countries towards shared economic prosperity in the region,” ayon kay Lazaro sa isang forum na inorganisa ng Stratbase ADR Institute sa Makati City.
Sa ngayon ay wala pang pormal na pag-uusap ukol sa panukalang trilateral bloc, subalit sinabi ni Lazaro na wala siyang nakikitang mahirap o balakid sa pagtatatag ng triangular cooperation kasama ang Japan at India.
“It has to go through certain formalities,”a yon kay Lazaro.
Ang Trilateral cooperation, aniya pa ay “an important feature of the present global order” na inilalarawan sa pamamagitan ng “multiplicity of actors.”
Sa gitna ng backdrop ng regional uncertainties, sinabi ni Lazaro na mas maraming estado ang mas pinili para sa arrangement na ito dahil sa karaniwang alalahanin gaya ng economic at security domains.
Ang territorial disputes sa South China Sea na “a busy and resource-rich waterway—have sparked occasional violence and have been regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict.”
Sentro rin ito ng strategic rivalry sa pagitan ng Tsina at Estados Unidos.
“The proposed agreement would explore specific areas of strategic cooperation, including connectivity, supply chains, green transformation to manage the impacts of climate change and create greener growth pathways,” wika ni Lazaro.
“The Philippines, India and Japan can also learn from their best practices, know-how, and technology in pursuing the greening of crucial economic sectors that weigh heavily,” dagdag na wika nito.
Ang Infrastructure connectivity aniya ay mahalagang aspeto ng kooperasyon lalo na ng ‘transport and logistics systems’ dahil sa lawak ng Indo-Pacific region.
“Infrastructure connectivity shortens distance and increases productivity. The resulting benefits are manifold, among which are increased intra-regional trade, supply chain efficiency, and travel mobility,” giit ni Lazaro.
Pinaigting naman ng Pilipinas ang maritime dialogue efforts nito sa India bilang paghahanda para sa paghahatid ng BrahMos cruise missiles ngayong Marso, na kinuha mula sa Indian government.
Sinabi ni Lazaro na, “The Philippines currently collaborates with eight maritime dialogue partners, including Japan. We seek to elevate our maritime dialogue with India to a track one level in the near future.” Kris Jose
