The New Year greetings card from the European Union

Back in the eighth century, under the Emperor Charlemagne, New Year in Europe was celebrated on Christmas day. It is only in the fifteenth century that New Year started to be celebrated on the 1st of January.

Greetings cards appear to have their origin in Asia, where cards where made of rice paper to introduce illustrious people: the size of the paper corresponding to the importance of the person. Today, many people choose to send electronic cards to help save our forests, but the principal of exchanging messages of goodwill remains. In this spirit, here are my greetings for the Filipino people.

2014 has been an historical year for EU-Philippines relations with the first visit ever of the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs to the Philippines and the visit of President Aquino to four European member States and the European Union institutions.

So what can we look forward to in 2015:

In Europe growth will pick up with the initiative of the new Commission of reducing red tape for business, more economic reforms in the member States and the introduction of an investment package of 315 billion Euros to stimulate investment. A new Team of leaders has taken the helm of the European Institutions with President Tusk heading the European Council, President Junckers heading the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mogherini who also holds the position of Vice President of the European Commission. The new team will inject a new momentum which will translate into a new European dynamism.

For its part, the Philippines will enter the last full year of the current administration before the Presidential election. It is a crucial year for the further consideration of major reforms key to transforming the country’s governance. Many important bills are at an advanced stage of discussions both in Congress and the Senate: the competition bill, the customs modernization bills and many others and only a final push is required.

It is these positive underlying trends in both the EU and the Philippines that will enhance the continuing development of our relations in 2015:

1. Strengthening Economic Relations

Since December 25, 2014, the European Union has cut import tariffs to 0% for a wide range of products originating from the Philippines. This will undoubtedly stimulate Philippine exports to Europe. In addition, it will create jobs (more than 260,000 according to DTI) in the Philippines. This concession significantly improves the competitiveness of the Philippines as a base for new agricultural and manufacturing facilities for products that will enjoy duty free access to the EU.

2. Support for the Mindanao Peace Process

The signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for the Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014 marked an important step in the establishment of long lasting peace in this region of the Philippines. In anticipation of the plebiscite which should take place in 2016, the parties have asked the European Union to monitor this democratic process. The European Union will also continue to support the Peace Process through carefully monitored and effective international NGOs.

3. Increase of EU development cooperation

While the Philippines has made impressive progress in the last few years in terms of economic growth, the fight against poverty remains a priority. The progressive improvement of governance of the current administration prompted the European Union to more than double its development cooperation assistance to the Philippines for the period 2014-2020 to reach P18 billion. Two new programs will start in 2015, concentrating on energy issues and support for the rule of law.

4. Possible total lifting of air ban

After the lifting of the EU air ban, Philippine Airlines resumed its direct flight to London in November 2013. This was a welcome move which helped attract more European tourists to the Philippines. The air ban was also lifted for Cebu Pacific in July 2014 and the European Union and the Philippines are now working towards a total lifting for all Philippine carriers in 2015.

5. Intensified cooperation in the field of climate change.

The Philippines being one of the countries most affected by climate change, President Aquino did not hesitate to fly in New York in order to attend the United Nations General Assembly last September to call on all nations to do what it takes to put a stop to the increase of green house gas emissions. He illustrated the steps the Philippines is already taking both to adapt to climate change in terms of disaster preparedness and to mitigate the level of emissions. The European Union, for its part decided last October to reduce its emission of green house gases by 40% in 2030 (compared to 1990). Together the Philippines and the European Union will join hands to convince other world leaders to reach a binding agreement at the climate conference in Paris in December 2015.

I wish the STAR readers a very happy, prosperous and peaceful new year.

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Guy Ledoux is the Ambassador of the European Union.