This year’s Europe Day reception was doubly significant, marking 60 years of EU-PH diplomatic relations.
H. E. Luc Véron, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, offered a toast with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Charles John Brown, to celebrate both milestones.
Ambassador Véron underscored the longstanding partnership of the European Union (EU) with the Philippines. He said that the Philippines and the EU stand together in upholding a rules-based international order, based on humanitarian principles. The EU has also been a staunch supporter of the peace process in Mindanao.
The EU Ambassador also mentioned the collaboration on circular economy, sustainable energy, and enhanced connectivity to build a greener and more interconnected future.
“We can deepen our economic partnership through a potential free trade agreement, fostering stronger connections and significant growth opportunities,” said Ambassador Véron.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales said: “In the Philippines, 60 years is already a year of senior citizenship. Its relations began officially on the 12th of May 1964 with what was then still called the European Economic Community (EEC). Six decades of partnership with the EU have yielded an abundance of opportunities for mutual development.”
“We have expanded our collaboration in energy, green economy, space, and science and technology applications to strengthen our resilience to natural disasters and climate change. All very important as we now experience the very warm weather in the Philippines.”
We look forward to enhancing our trade relations with the EU with the early conclusion of the FTA negotiations,” added Undersecretary Morales.
The EU delegation to the Philippines is celebrating its six decades of partnership with the Philippines through a series of events including “Sounds of Celebration: 60 Years of EU-PH
Relations” choral festival in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; the month-long multi-media exhibition “Shared Journey: 60 Years of EU-PH Diplomatic Relations" now ongoing at the Yuchengco Museum, Makati; and illumination of iconic buildings and monuments in partnership with the EU such as Rizal Monument and Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park, National Museum of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Manila, Mabalacat City College, University of the Philippines in Miagao, and Heroes Square hosting the Honorary Consulate of Georgia.
The award-winning choir Los Cantantes de Manila, conducted by Darwin Vargas in the recently concluded choral festival “Sounds of Celebration: 60 Years of EU-PH Relations,” rendered the Philippine anthem and the EU Hymn. The choir was the Grand Prix Winner in 2015 in the Busan Choral Festival and Competition and won first prize in the 2017 and 2023 editions of the Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany. In July, the choir is set to represent the Philippines in competitions in Italy, Spain, and Hungary.
Early this year, SM Mall of Asia also illuminated its globe to signify the start of the celebration together with the EU.
