The Philippines and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations on Tuesday, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated attacks against the regional bloc that criticized his anti-narcotics campaign.
In a joint statement, Manila and EU said they reaffirmed ties during an “open and constructive” Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM).
“The meeting, conducted in an open and constructive manner, acknowledged the developments in PH-EU bilateral relations since
the last SOM in June 2013 and reaffirmed their continued commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on a broad range of issues,” the statement read.
Both sides said they anticipate the ratification and implementation of the PH-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that will serve as the framework for further enhancing bilateral ties.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo and Gunnar Wiegand, European External Action Service managing director for Asia and the Pacific, co-chaired the 9th SOM.
The EU and European lawmakers earlier urged the Philippines to investigate allegations of widespread summary executions and police cover-ups, which authorities have denied.
This prompted Duterte to hurl expletives at the bloc and say that the Philippines “will not beg” for foreign aid.
The Philippines later declined grants of about P13.89 billion from EU.
EU and Manila said they “had a candid exchange of views… and raised their respective concerns” about the Philippines’ human rights situation during Tuesday’s SOM.
“Both sides noted the importance of constructive engagement and meaningful cooperation on issues of mutual interest,” their statement added.
Trade, investments
The SOM also recognized that trade and investments between the EU and the Philippines have been “flourishing and continue to have strong potential to expand in the future.”
The EU, one of one of Manila’s largest trading partners, has allowed the Philippines to export without duties or with reduced tariffs under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).
The 2 sides are now negotiating for a free trade agreement.
The EU is also embarking on development cooperation with the Philippines, including programs on sustainable energy, judicial reform, trade and Mindanao peace and development.
During the SOM, the EU also donated P49 million (850,000 euros) in humanitarian aid to victims of fighting between government forces and Islamic State-inspired extremists in Marawi City.
Diplomatic engagements
The EU and the Philippines also agreed to “encourage an active exchange of high-level visits, including that of parliamentary delegations.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs last March accused the European Parliament of intrusion for calling for the release of detained Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of the war on drugs.
The Philippines, during the SOM, said it looks forward to the Manila visit in August of Federica Mogherini, high representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
The Philippines and the EU will also co-chair a dialogue on maritime security among European and Southeast Asian leaders in Manila this October.
Republished from ABS-CBN News
