As the first-ever EU Commission president to visit the Southeast Asian country in nearly six decades, von der Leyen said her visit signals accelerating a new era of cooperation between the EU and the Philippines. (Photo: mb.com.ph) The consensus was reached during a meeting betweenPhilippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and EU Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyen in Manila.
As the first-ever EU Commission president to visit theSoutheast Asian country in nearly six decades, von der Leyen said her visitsignals accelerating a new era of cooperation between the EU and thePhilippines, vowing to bring the bilateral trade relations to the next level.
She said the FTA could be a springboard for a newtechnology cooperation to modernise the broader economy.
She added that the EU would provide 466 million EUR (513million USD) in funding to for the transition to a circular economy, and thegeneration of green energy through the Global Gateway sustainable investmentplan.
For his part, Marcos said in a speech that hediscussed with the EU chief economic relations with particular focus onrevitalising trade between the two sides.
Marcos welcomed resuming negotiations forPhilippine-EU free trade, adding that his administration would work with EUexperts to achieve the bilateral FTA.
He also thanked the EU's long-term support for hiscountry, particularly on the EU's recognition of a seafarer certificate issuedby the Philippines that will benefit over 50,000 Filipino seafarers workingonboard EU-flagged vessels.
Free trade talks began in 2015 under former PresidentBenigno Aquino, but stalled under the administration of his immediatepredecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, due to tensionsbetween the Philippines and Western nations relating the "drug war"carried out by Duterte./.
VNA
