MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touted the now “close relationship” between the Philippines and the European Union (EU), the country’s long standing partner and “a friend in place in times of crisis.”
The President reaffirmed the country’s close diplomatic ties with the EU during the farewell call of EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Serge Gustave Eugene Véron in Malacañang on Thursday.
In his remarks, the President thanked Véron for his role in attaining a “much deeper interconnection” between the Philippines and the EU.
“You’ve been affixed here in all the work that we’ve been doing for the last three years, since I’ve been President. I think that in that time, we really have seen a much deeper interconnection between the Philippines and the EU,” the President told the EU official.
“I don’t think we’ve had this close relationship with the EU as we have now. And I’m happy that’s the case ’cause post pandemic, I think that is one of the lessons that we need — to have a friend in place in times of crisis,” he added.
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos pushed to normalize ties with the EU that had been badly damaged by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, whose brutal “war on drugs” was criticized by Euroope.
Duterte had responded with expletive-laden tirades, telling European leaders to stay out of his country’s affairs and threatening to expel all European ambassadors.
The EU is a steadfast development partner of the Philippines in achieving its development goals, and has extended support through various means for the peace and development process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
With regard the West Philippine Sea issue, the EU showed strong support to the Philippines following China’s aggressive actions in the vital waterway, with the country expressing hope for the EU’s continued support in upholding a rules-based international order and rule of law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The EU also extended €1.2 million or over P76 million in humanitarian aid to families in the areas hardest hit by Typhoons Butchoy (international name: Prapiroon) and Carina (international name: Gaemi) last month.
Last year, the country’s total trade with the EU amounted to $16.163 billion, with exports valued at $8.374 billion and imports at $7.789 billion.
The Philippines’ top exports to the EU include digital monolithic integrated circuits; semiconductor devices manufactured from materials on consignment basis; coconut (copra) oil, crude; input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing; and storage units.
On the other hand, the Philippines’ top imports from the EU include aeroplanes and other aircraft, materials, accessories, and supplies imported on consignment basis for the manufacture of dice, medicaments, edible offal of swine, and digital monolithic integrated circuits.
In 2023, approved EU investments from Investment Promotion Agencies amounted to $13.412 billion.
Meanwhile, during Thursday’s call, Véron was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Silver Distinction (Katangiang Pilak) for his significant contributions to strengthening Philippine-EU bilateral relations.
“For his (Véron) role in promoting the rule of law and the rules-based international order and in furthering the long-standing commitment and consistent contributions of the European Union toward securing peace and development in Mindanao, through the peace process, grassroots development, and the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” the citation read.
“For his efforts to obtain and provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in times of natural disaster and during the Covid-19 pandemic and for his many laudable initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the peoples of the Philippines and the European Union; have caused to be inscribed in the roster the order of Sikatuna,” it said.
The citation also mentioned Véron’s efforts “in the conclusion of numerous cooperation agreements, especially in the field of development cooperation, to support the Philippines’ priorities in the fields of climate change, green and resilient economy, energy, digital connectivity, good governance, trade and investment, space science technology, and maritime cooperation and security.”
Following his designation as ambassador in November 2020, Véron arrived in the Philippines on December 15, 2020 and presented his credentials in Malacañang on Feb. 10, 2021.
Prior to his appointment, Véron held various positions at the European External Action Services and the European Commission.
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