Celebrating 25 years of EU-Philippines partnership

Moving into summer both here in the Philippines and in Europe, we are also moving closer to a significant anniversary in the relationship between the European Union and the Philippines. Twenty-five years ago, in May 1991, President Corazon Aquino and the European Commissioner Abel Matutes inaugurated the offices of the Delegation of the European Union here in Manila. The anniversary gives us an occasion to reflect on how our relationship has developed since then.

Trade is one obvious area that reflects our growing and deepening relations. The EU-Philippines trade was worth 2.5 billion euros in 1990, and has now gone to almost 13 billion euros in 2015. The EU has also increased its investments in the Philippines and is the largest foreign investor in the country.

In 2014, the Philippines was granted a so-called Generalised System of Preference (GSP+) status. The GSP+ scheme allows for a significant reduction of customs tariffs on Filipino export products, and has led to a marked increase of export to the EU. The EU grants the GSP+ status to generate economic benefits that will help the benefitting country not only economically, but also to assume its responsibilities under core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance.

In line with the EU’s continuing support to economic reforms and trade liberalization, the EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström and the (then) Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo agreed last year to initiate negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. Both sides share an ambition to conclude an agreement covering a broad range of issues, including elimination of customs duties and other barriers to trade, services and investment, investment protection as well access to public procurement markets. Once concluded, the FTA will constitute another milestone in the EU-Philippines relations.

And talking of milestones, we should not forget the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and the Philippines on 11 July 2012. This agreement, covering political, security, economic and social affairs, still needs to be fully ratified by all concerned parties (i.e. the 28 EU Member States and the Philippines) but once it has entered into force, it will constitute a firm basis for enhanced cooperation in areas like trade, development cooperation, research and innovation, as well as political issues like maritime security, conflict resolution and human rights.

High level exchange is also a measure of good bilateral relations. In more recent times, President Aquino significantly visited the European Institutions in 2014, signalling the importance the Philippines puts on relations with the EU. High Representative Ashton visited Manila in 2014, as did Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Georgieva, who went to Tacloban to assess the EU assistance following Typhoon Yolanda. The new High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has repeatedly met her Filipino counterparts, including Foreign Secretary Del Rosario last year. High level exchange between the EU and the Philippines of course also comprises the contacts between the EU Member States and the Philippines.

Another pillar of our relationship, our development cooperation, has also grown substantially. From 2012 to 2014, EU grants (combining the EU’s and the EU Member States assistance) amounted to 533 million euros. In the new programme cycle, running from 2014 to 2020, the EU has more than doubled the development cooperation programme with the Philippines. It will focus on two priority sectors: inclusive growth through access to sustainable energy and job creation, and the strengthening of the rule of law through judicial and legal reforms. The EU will also continue to be a major donor to the peace process in Mindanao.

We take pride in the fact that the cultural profile of the EU in the Philippines is well known. The European film festival ‘Cine Europa’ will soon run its 15th edition, and reaches ever larger audiences. Together with partners, the EU Delegation in the Philippines has organised special festivals such as “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” (children’s festival) “Musica FEUropa” (choral festival) and “Bersong Euro-Pinoy” (poetry reading) for the last eight years. The EU puts a high premium in education to help achieve a better awareness, understanding and appreciation between and among our peoples. We will continue to promote European higher education through fairs and other activities, and hope to welcome many more Filipino students to Europe.

We have come a long way over the last twenty-five years. The European Union has gone from 12 Member States in 1991 to 28 today. The population of the EU has increased from 375 million people to more than 500. The EU has weathered a number of crisis during these years, but has emerged united and stronger. The Philippines has undergone changes as well, and now finds itself in a position of having a strong and growing economy, playing an ever larger regional and global role, and facing numerous challenges – not least because of climate change.

As the Philippines now enters a period of transition – electing a new President and installing a new administration – we look back at our achievements during the last 25 years, and look confidently forward to the next 25 years. Let me toast to coming years of co-operation, dialogue and engagement with the Philippines!