The European Union (EU) is interested to expand its security engagements with the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
This was revealed during the courtesy visit of EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron on AFP Chief of Staff (CSAFP) Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, Oct. 20.
During their meeting, Brawner and Véron "discussed pertinent security matters" as both officials expressed intention to have more collaborations between the Philippines and EU member-states.
"The ambassador relayed their side’s intention to increase engagement with the Philippines due to its geopolitical importance to the EU and significance to the protection of its interests in the region," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said on Saturday, Oct. 21.
"He also expressed their desire to remain as a partner in the emergence of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through institution-building and socio-economic programs, to which the CSAFP expressed his profound gratitude for," he added.
The EU has been engaged in developing the Bangsamoro region, particularly in supporting its peace programs.
Last year, EU promised to grant over €10 million or P600 million for the normalization track of the Bangsamoro peace process which involves the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and their firearms.
Meanwhile, Brawner committed the AFP's support to EU’s programs in the country.
He praised the "clear [and] positive effects" of EU's programs in the development and improved security in Mindanao.