PBBM says Europe right in partnering with Asian countries
At A Glance
- Marcos says ASEAN leaders have come together to strengthen the economic systems in place and address the weaknesses that showed up during the pandemic.
- Marcos thinks the post-pandemic scenario presents an excellent opportunity for greater collaboration with the Philippines now understanding how the world works.
President Marcos said Europe made the right decision to look into Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, for partnership because of the significant economic opportunities that the region has in store for the West.
Marcos said this as he welcomed the resident Ambassador-designate of the Swiss Confederation to the Philippines, Nicolas Brühl, in Malacañan on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
During their brief conversation, Marcos told Brühl that the economic opportunities for Europe in Asia were quite "exciting."
"I think it is actually wise in terms of European countries, Switzerland included, to look to ASEAN, to look to Asia," he said.
"Although there are other geopolitical disturbances, shall we say, but the opportunities are quite exciting," he added.
According to Marcos, ASEAN leaders have come together to strengthen the economic systems in place and address the weaknesses that showed up during the pandemic.
"We're all trying to learn the lessons that the pandemic brought with it," he said.
The President said that he thinks the post-pandemic scenario presents an excellent opportunity for greater collaboration with the Philippines now understanding how the world works.
"That's why I always value partnerships and alliances and agreements between countries," Marcos said.
"I think… [with] Switzerland that has always gone very smoothly. Let's hope that it continues in that direction," he added.
Brühl agreed with the President, saying it was good that the Asian economy is recovering well compared to other parts of the world.
He added that since the start of 2023, the Swiss Foreign Ministry's Southeast Asia strategy proves that the region is of utmost importance and vowed to partner with it.
The Philippines and Switzerland marked the 65th year of their bilateral ties in January 2022. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), both countries continue to maximize the benefits of the Philippines–European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA-FTA).
The EFTA States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland, on April 28, 2016.
The EFTA-Philippines FTA entered into force on June 1, 2018, for the Philippines, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland and on Jan. 1, 2020 for Iceland.
The FTA covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition, the protection of intellectual property rights, government procurement, and trade and sustainable development.