Binay: Peace deal to boost European investments

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday that the framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will boost European investments in the country.

Binay, who is set to leave today for Brussels as President Aquino’s official representative to the European Development Days (EDD) and the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21 at Vatican City in Rome, said the framework agreement would also encourage Europe to continue its official development assistance (ODA) to the country.

“The agreement is a step toward achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. I am confident it will entice European investors to put up their businesses here, especially in Mindanao,” Binay said.

The Vice President hopes the agreement will serve as proof that the government is serious in its efforts toward attaining a peaceful and progressive Mindanao.

“I am grateful to the European Union for crafting its new development policy called Agenda for Change, which will increase the focus of the European Union’s development

 assistance on impact and inclusive growth, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG),” he said.

Binay is looking forward to the finalization of the next financial cycle for 2014-2020 for the European Union’s development assistance to the country.

Organized by the European Commission, the EDD is Europe’s premier forum on international affairs and development cooperation that will focus on food security, social protection and involvement of the private sector in developing countries.

Binay is expected to speak at the forum. While in Brussels, he will meet with Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission (EC), to discuss common interests between the Philippines and Europe.

The Vice President will also discuss with Siim Kallas, vice president of the EC and commissioner of transport, the European Union ban on Philippine carriers and present measures that the government has undertaken to improve the state of the Philippine aviation industry.

Since the European region is a major employer of Filipino sailors, Binay is expected to raise the country’s compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (SCTW) Convention.

After the canonization of Calungsod, Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, will meet members of the Filipino community in Italy at the Pontifico Collegio Filippino.

He will also attend the thanksgiving Mass on Oct. 22, the day after the canonization, at the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica.