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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos sees PH-EU ties moving to 'greater heights'

Marcos sees PH-EU ties moving to 'greater heights'

Published Jul 31, 2023 04:47 am
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said his bilateral meeting with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen was successful and productive and hoped that this would be the start of a deeper relationship between the Philippines and the European Union (EU).
*PH-EU TIES — President Marcos welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Malacañang on July 31, 2023. (Ali Vicoy)*

Marcos said this as he welcomed von der Leyen to Malacañang on Monday, July 31. In their joint statement, the President said their meeting was a testament to their desire to strengthen the relationship between the two regions. "The continued exchanges between Her Excellency and myself, which started in Brussels last year, is [a] testament to our joint desire to bring our bilateral relationship to greater heights," Marcos said. The Chief Executive likewise described the Philippines and the EU as like-minded partners. "As I mentioned to President von der Leyen, the Philippines and the EU are like-minded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights," Marcos said. "Let this be a new beginning for the strengthening and the deepening of all our ties with the EU and the Philippines," he added. This was the first visit of a European Commission President in the nearly 60 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the EU. In his speech, President Marcos said that during their "successful and productive" meeting, he and von der Leyen discussed economic relations with a particular focus on revitalizing trade between the two regions. "I welcome the conduct this year of scoping exercises between the European Commission and the Philippines towards negotiations for a Philippines-EU free trade agreement," he said. "The Philippine Government experts will work with the European Commission in achieving a bilateral FTA," he added. Marcos likewise acknowledged the EU's staunch support for the Bangsamoro peace process, as well as the development of the country in areas such as the rule of law, injustice, agriculture, space cooperation, and disaster management. He thanked the European Commission for their decision to extend the recognition of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers certificates issued by the Philippines to Filipino seafarers. "This has a positive impact on the employment of more than 50,000 seafarers working onboard EU flag vessels," Marcos said.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PH-EU European Council President Ursula Von der Leyen Ursula von der Leyen President Marcos
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