The Philippines and the European Union (EU) have formally elevated their bilateral relations by signing a Joint Statement launching an Enhanced Partnership aimed at broadening cooperation on foreign policy, security, trade, climate action, digital connectivity, and other areas of mutual interest.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President Kaja Kallas signed the joint statement in Pasay City, describing it as a framework for a stronger, more comprehensive, and forward-looking relationship between Manila and the 27-member bloc.

In their joint press statement on Friday, July 24, Lazaro said the decision to upgrade ties reflected the growing breadth of cooperation between the Philippines and the European Union amid shared regional and global challenges.

"These areas of cooperation and heightened engagement are just some of the elements that cement the growing partnership between the Philippines and the European Union and signal that the time is right for the elevation of our relations," she said.

She thanked all 27 European Union member states for supporting the joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and for expressing "deep concern" over the July 20 incident near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that injured a Philippine Navy serviceman.

Lazaro also welcomed the EU's adoption of its first-ever assistance measure for the Philippines under the European Peace Facility worth €15 million to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines' maritime domain awareness capabilities.

"As such, I am pleased to have signed with Vice President Kallas the joint statement on the enhanced partnership in the Philippines and the European Union, a testimony to our shared intention and commitment to build a stronger, more enhanced, and forward-looking partnership," she said.

For her part, Kallas said the Enhanced Partnership "will not just be a new label" but would institutionalize more regular high-level dialogues, closer coordination on foreign and security policy, and stronger cooperation in areas that directly benefit both sides.

“It means more regular, high-level dialogues, closer coordination on foreign and security policy, and stronger cooperation across areas that matter to our citizens, from trade to climate, digital and connectivity,” she said. 

“The partnership between the European Union and the Philippines has never been stronger,” she added.

According to Kallas, the EU’s €15-million assistance package would provide non-lethal surveillance and monitoring equipment to strengthen the Philippines' maritime capabilities, describing it as the first European Peace Facility support to be implemented in the Indo-Pacific and "a clear demonstration that Europe is stepping up as a security partner in the region."

Kallas also said negotiations for a Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement had entered the "final stretch," noting that the European Union is already the Philippines' fourth-largest trading partner with nearly €17 billion in annual trade in goods.

“I encourage flexibility to resolve the remaining market access issues,” she said.

Kallas likewise reiterated the European Union's support for the 2016 Arbitral Award, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while expressing hope that ASEAN and China would conclude a legally binding Code of Conduct.

“Disputes must be settled through dialogue, not coercion,” she said.

“The European Union continues to support freedom of navigation and overflight, and we remain firmly committed to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” she added.