MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is pursuing a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) after negotiations for a EU-ASEAN trade deal suffered a major setback.
Speaking before the 12th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) in Singapore, Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said that an FTA between the Philippines and the European Union is not only desirable but also in order.
He said the Philippines would have a long list of market access issues to take up with the EU, starting with canned tuna and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. He stressed there should be a mutuality in access commitments, and that negotiators should pay close attention to the objectives and aspirations of the private sector.
Lapus said that FTA negotiations between the EU and some ASEAN countries are ongoing. He noted that many other ASEAN countries are also engaged with the EU in Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) negotiations, including the Philippines. The PCA will have to move on at some point in time for FTA negotiations.
In any further ASEAN-EU FTA talks, Lapus emphasized that the two regions must compete in an open environment, and not perpetuate regional monopolies. He also said that with ASEAN experience in FTAs, the region is on the course of stability with growth. He expressed confidence that a strong ASEAN makes it able to negotiate from a position of strength.
Likewise, he lauded the generally smooth implementation experience in ASEAN engagements with other countries like China and Japan.
The experience thus far has been positive because ASEAN countries have been prodded to look more closely at their competitiveness and issues of good governance, he said.