Togetherness – ‘Sama-Sama’

During this time of the year people always feel a desire to be close to their loved ones. This applies to Filipinos as much as it does to Europeans. And like human beings, also countries and organizations do better when they engage with each other.

Looking at 2019, I see many areas in which the Philippines and the EU cooperated successfully with each other.

At the outset, I would like to express our solidarity with the families of those affected by natural disasters in Batanes, Mindanao, the East coast of Luzon and Davao del Sur. We are proud to have contributed so far more than P113  million for relief assistance in 2019 in humanitarian assistance.

As the EU’s DNA is peace, programmes on peace and community resilience, implementation of peace settlements, civilian protection, ceasefire and monitoring mechanisms and providing platforms for dialogue and mediation are high on the agenda. As such, the EU remains one of the biggest development partners in support of Mindanao and the peace process. It prioritizes support in governance, job creation, renewable energy and assistance to vulnerable population.

The rule of law and inclusive growth continue to be the EU’s focus based on its grant assistance to the Philippines and aligning with the country’s development plan from 2014 until next year.

In the area of energy, the EU has helped provide electrification to 100,000 households coupled with livelihood initiatives.

In the justice sector, the EU has assisted in stopping backlog in courts, reducing prosecution services and improving case management as it has set more justice zones in the country. As a lawyer, I advocate strongly for pursuing justice for all and it was a great honour for me to co-inaugurate one of the justice zones in Naga. Justice zones are also in Quezon City, Davao, Angeles, Bacolod, and Cebu. Justice Zones are areas where local justice sector stakeholders work together to identify and address cross-cutting challenges. In November Justice Secretary Guevarra and Local Government Secretary Ano visited Brussels to discuss the EU’s support to the justice sector in greater detail. 

Through the budget support programme, the EU has contributed to the country’s Universal Health Care Programme through strengthening of confidential, voluntary and evidence-based treatment of drug dependents. 

From an investment and trade angle, much however remains to be done in mobilising European traders and investors in line with the size and potentiality of the Philippine market.

The Philippines’ share of the total EU-foreign direct investment directed towards ASEAN countries is only 4% while the EU is the biggest provider of foreign direct investment in ASEAN. While the bilateral trade has been growing steadily over the last few years probably reaching euro 16 billion in 2019.  There is indeed a margin to catch up with other ASEAN countries both in trade and investment.

But policy reforms are underway – new competition act, customs modernization, implementation of ease of doing business, further liberalisation of foreign investments, newly signed law amending the corporate code, will hopefully make the Philippines more attractive to local and foreign businesses.

On a more positive note, because of the a trade preferential scheme (GSP+), every year about P113 million worth of Filipino products (with a strong performance for agriculture-related products) enter the EU completely duty-free. And the EU is hopeful that in the years to come, there will be more fruitful collaboration with the Philippines for the correct implementation of GSP+.

In 2019, the EU has reached out to more young people through Cine Europa, bike tours, arts talks and European Higher Education Fair. With the EU member states’ embassies, the EU has also mobilised European artists to interact with their Filipino counterparts.    

In December, Charles Michel, the new President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the new President of the European Commission, took office.  Engagement with Asia will remain a high priority for the EU.  Josep Borrell, the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy already co-chaired the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of more than 50 Foreign Ministers, including Secretary Locsin, under the motto “It’s time to translate Europe’s and Asia’s power into a real partnership”.

As the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement starts its implementation, we are happy to have the first senior level consultations in January 2020 to have a comprehensive review of our broad partnership in all areas. 

This Holiday Season, we believe in further strengthening - our EU team - with the hope of strengthening our EU values and nurturing these with our Filipino partners who have been doing their share in fostering our relationship,  not just this festive period but in the years to come. 

A Joyful Holiday Season!

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(Thomas Wiersing is Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the EU Delegation to the Philippines)