President Marcos has expressed gratitude to outgoing European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron for his role in attaining a "much deeper interconnection" between the Philippines and the EU.

Marcos said this during Veron's farewell call in Malacañan on Thursday, Aug. 22.

In his remarks, the President said he believes that the Philippines and the EU have not had this close of a relationship prior to him and Veron assuming their positions three years ago. Véron arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 15, 2020, and presented his credentials in Malacañan almost two months later.

"You’ve been affixed here in all the work that we’ve been doing for the last three years since I’ve been President. And I think that in that time we really have seen a much deeper interconnection between the Philippines and the EU," he said.

"I don’t think we’ve had this close relationship with the EU as we have now and I’m happy that that’s the case," he added.

In a Facebook post, Marcos thanked Veron for the "invaluable partnership" the Philippines has built with the EU through the latter's leadership.

"He (Veron) has played a key role in strengthening our country’s economic and trade ties with the EU," he said. "Wishing him all the best on his next journey!"

During Thursday’s call, Veron was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Silver Distinction (Katangiang Pilak) for his significant contributions to strengthening Philippine-EU bilateral relations.

"For his (Veron) role in promoting the rule of law and the rules-based international order and in furthering the long-standing commitment and consistent contributions of the European Union toward securing peace and development in Mindanao, through the peace process, grassroots development, and the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," the citation stated.

"For his efforts to obtain and provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in times of natural disaster and during the Covid-19 pandemic and for his many laudable initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the peoples of the Philippines and the European Union; have caused to be inscribed in the roster the order of Sikatuna," it furthered.

The citation also noted Veron's efforts in the conclusion of numerous cooperation agreements, especially in development cooperation, to support the Philippines' priorities in the fields of climate change, green and resilient economy, energy, digital connectivity, good governance, trade and investment, space science technology, and maritime cooperation and security.

Before his appointment, Veron, known for trying different Filipino delicacies and posting them on social media, held various positions at the European External Action Services (EEAS) and the European Commission.

PH-EU ties

The EU is a steadfast development partner of the Philippines in achieving its development goals and has extended support through various means for the peace and development process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Regarding the West Philippine Sea issue, the EU has expressed strong support to the Philippines following China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters. The Philippines has expressed hope for the EU’s continued support in upholding a rules-based international order and the rule of law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The EU has also extended EUR 1.2 million (over P76 million) in humanitarian aid to families in the areas hardest hit by Typhoons Butchoy (Prapiroon) and Carina (Gaemi) last month.

The country’s total trade with the EU amounted to $16.163 billion, with exports valued at $8.374 billion and imports at $7.789 billion.

The Philippines’ top exports to the EU include digital monolithic integrated circuits; semiconductor devices manufactured from materials on a consignment basis; coconut (copra) oil, crude; input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing; and storage units.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ top imports from the EU include aeroplanes and other aircraft, materials, accessories, and supplies imported on a consignment basis for the manufacture of dice, medicaments, edible offal of swine, and digital monolithic integrated circuits.

In 2023, approved EU investments from Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) amounted to $13.412 billion.