Philippines wants to wrap up FTA talks with European Union before November

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is pushing for the conclusion of its free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU) before November as the parties work on a compromise on the agriculture sector.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of Go Negosyo’s MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) Summit that the Philippines wants to conclude FTA talks with the EU before November.

With Manila set to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in November, she said the government wants to be able to announce the conclusion of the FTA talks with the EU by that time.

While the Philippines was looking to conclude the FTA talks by June or July, the parties were unable to do so during the latest or seventh round of negotiations, which took place on June 29 to July 3.

“June or July we were really hoping (to conclude), but there was really just a bit of a deadlock,” Roque said.

She said there is a need to iron out issues concerning the agriculture sector.

“There’s still one being ironed out, but we’ve already come up with a compromise on what to do. But we can’t still say it because (it’s) confidential,” she said.

She also said that she’s working closely with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to address the issue.

Meanwhile, she said the other hurdle concerning government procurement in the FTA talks with the EU has already been resolved.

“Since it is our first time to have an FTA that has government procurement, we agreed that we’ll do it in phases,” she said.

She said both parties aim to complete the FTA talks within the year.

“Our goal is really to conclude (FTA talks) this year and to sign it next year. So we’re still on track,” she said.

Apart from talks for the EU FTA, the Philippines also expects to conclude negotiations for FTAs with Canada and Chile and the preferential trade agreement with India within the year.

Last week, Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said the Philippines was working to conclude the negotiations for the FTA with Canada by November.