DFA chief meets with EU ministers on seamen’s certificate compliance

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with foreign ministers of European Union member states to seek their continued support for the Philippines’ efforts to hurdle EU requirements on compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to prevent the loss of recognition of Filipino seamen.

On Wednesday, Del Rosario met separately with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Maltese Foreign Minister George Vella, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo at the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting (AEMM) in Brussels, Belgium. 

He informed them of  the progress in Philippine efforts to prepare for the visit of the inspection team from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) at the end of September.

The Philippines has not resolved outstanding deficiencies to fully comply with the STCW that may result in the loss of EU recognition of Filipino seamen.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the EU acknowledged progress made by the Philippines in raising the standard of training of Filipino seafarers, but that issues remain to be resolved.

Last April 23, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) presented the EU member states with an overall assessment of the Philippine maritime education, training and certification system.

The assessment was based on the inspection reports of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the follow-up measures that Filipino authorities have put in place to address identified deficiencies.

Ledoux said Filipino authorities need to demonstrate that the audit plans in place are actually being carried out, and that they have all the necessary technical qualified human resources to monitor the numerous maritime education and training institutions operating in the Philippines.

The EU has long recognized the Philippines as an important maritime nation whose many seafarers on European vessels are much appreciated, he added.

During the meeting with EU foreign ministers, Del Rosario also expressed appreciation for the EU’s support to the Philippines’ arbitration case.

He conveyed the appreciation of the Philippines to the European leaders for their countries’ assistance in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda and their support for the Mindanao peace process. 

In his meeting with Steinmeier, Del Rosario briefed him on developments in the West Philippines Sea and discussed the robust Philippine-German cooperation in light of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.

In his meeting with Vella, Del Rosario obtained Malta’s assistance in the evacuation of Filipinos from Libya.

The two officials recalled the Maltese government’s cooperation in 2011 when Filipinos used Malta as their transit point in evacuating from Libya at the height of unrest. 

Del Rosario recognized the importance of Malta’s intervention on the Philippines’ compliance with STCW requirements.

Hammond and Del Rosario committed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on all fronts.

In their meeting, Margallo and Del Rosario  reaffirmed ties as Margallo recalled his visit to Manila last March to inaugurate a humanitarian-related infrastructure in Pampanga where Spanish relief goods would be pre-positioned for use during times of disaster.

Del Rosario met with Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Dato Hamzah Zainudin to convey the Philippines’ condolences and solidarity with Malaysia for  the tragic loss of lives on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

They further discussed developments in the South China Sea and how claimant states can work together in addressing current challenges.

The meetings on the sidelines of the AEMM provided an opportunity for Del Rosario to present the official Philippine position on  developments in the West Philippine Sea, and to express gratitude to the European partners for their strong support to rebuild in the aftermath of Yolanda, achieve peace in Mindanao, and promote greater trade and investment cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.