EU invites Marcos to Brussels

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) has invited President Marcos to visit Brussels.

The invitation from European Council president Charles Michel was personally relayed by EU Ambassador Luc Véron to Marcos during the latter’s inauguration on Thursday.

Michel, who was not able to attend the inauguration, said in his letter to Marcos: “I would, however, like to extend an invitation to you to come to Brussels at a mutually convenient time. We have much to discuss, from our bilateral relations, EU-ASEAN ties and wider foreign policy issues, to our support for the rules-based international order.”

Véron represented Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the presidential inauguration.

The EU has also expressed hope that Marcos would participate in the upcoming EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Commemorative Summit in Brussels in December this year.

This year marks 45 years of partnership between the EU and ASEAN. The EU’s relationship with ASEAN was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in December 2020.

In 2021, the EU recognized the centrality of ASEAN in the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Philippines entered into force on March 1, 2018. The Agreement provides for an enhanced legal framework, enabling the European Union and the Philippines to strengthen their bilateral relationship, in particular on political, social and economic matters.

“The Philippines and the European Union have common interests and values, which are a strong basis for a partnership, based on respect and mutual benefit and in pursuit of the effective implementation of the EU-Philippine Partnership and Cooperation Agreement,” Véron said.

The EU is stepping up its strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. The region’s growing economic, demographic and political weight makes it a key player in shaping the rules-based international order and in addressing global challenges.

Last year, the EU launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which recommits the EU politically to the region with the goal of contributing to its stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, based on shared values and principles, including a commitment to respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law.