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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider EU 'happy' with PH's current human rights situation --- DTI

EU 'happy' with PH's current human rights situation --- DTI

Published Jul 12, 2023 05:59 am
As the Philippines seeks the renewal of its inclusion in the European Union’s (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Wednesday, July 12, said that the regional bloc is “happy” with the recent human rights developments in the country. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office) “So, when we talked to them, they were checking, because they have raised certain issues in the past, you must have read in the papers and we briefed them on the latest developments about a few points that don’t cover the whole range,” he shared during a Palace press briefing. “We just have very specific concerns that we were able to address and they were happy about it. And I had an interview in which I mentioned the successful discussion I had with EU officials I met,” he added of his recent meeting with EU officials. Asked if the EU is “happy” with how the Philippines is currently addressing human rights issues, Pascual answered in the affirmative. “Yeah, they have seen progress, it’s not as if nothing has happened to address the issues that they are concerned with. And you are all aware of this, you know they are well-published. They are actually the results of those matters that are of interest to the EU,” he revealed. The DTI secretart explained that the GSP+, which provide tariff privileges on a number of products to a low-middle income country like the Philippines, is a concession that is “not one way.” “They (EU) are providing concessions, and they have imposed obligations. So, these obligations pertain to some values that they believed and which we also believed in and for which we have already signed international conventions like human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment, etcetera,” Pascual said. Aside from his meeting with EU officials, he also met with the EU parliament and the EU Commission. “So, I had a meeting with them and explained to them recent developments with respect to certain issues that they are interested in,” the official furthered. The EU’s GSP+ gives developing countries special incentives to pursue sustainable development and good governance. Under the GSP+, the Philippines enjoys duty-free entry for 6,200 local products, which include fruits, animals, and vegetable fat, textiles, and even metals. The continuation of these perks, however, hinges on the country’s adherence to the 27 international conventions, which include human rights. With the Philippines’ GSP+ status set to expire in December of this year, a member of the European Parliament said that releasing detained former senator Leila de Lima would prove its willingness to continue enjoying the GSP+ privileges. In February 2023, Hannah Neumann added that rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) would also be a strong indicator for the Philippines.

Related Tags

DTI Alfredo Pascual EU GSP+ European Union human rights issues EU Commission
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