PH, EU reiterate continued partnership
THE Philippines and the European Union (EU) reiterated their commitment to continue their partnership and emphasized their shared interests and values.
The two parties relayed this when the third meeting of the Sub-Committee on Development Cooperation was convened recently in Brussels, Belgium.
The Sub-Committee Meeting was formally opened by the Head of Unit South and South-East Asia from the European Commission’s DG International Partnerships (DG INTPA), Mario Ronconi; and the Undersecretary of the International Financial Group (IFG) of the Department of Finance (DOF), Maria Edita Tan, along with a video message from the Secretary of Finance, Benjamin E. Diokno.
The Sub-Committee commits to the continued and strengthened implementation of the EU’s various development programmes on peace and socioeconomic development, particularly in Mindanao, and good governance and rule of law to achieve successful results.
The EU also highlighted its new Annual Action Plan (AAP) as part of its Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) 2021-2027 addressing peace and development in Mindanao, and enabling justice and rule of law, civil society organizations, and human rights in the Philippines. The EU and Philippines also exchanged support to seafarers.
Manila was represented in-person by officials from the DOF; Philippine Embassy in Brussels; Department of Trade and Industry, through the Trade Attache; and the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute.
On the other hand, the EU Delegation to the Philippines, the European Commission Department for International Partnerships, Department for Communications Networks, Content and Technology and Department for Defence Industry and Space, European Union External Action Service and European Investment Bank joined the dialogue.
Following the successful hosting of the Inaugural Global Gateway Forum attended by Diokno in October 2023, the EU also brought up the Global Gateway for digital and green cooperation, together with regional cooperation with ASEAN.
In particular, under the Global Gateway, the launch of the Copernicus Philippines early this year, the signature of the Administrative Arrangement with the Philippines Space Agency on earth observation and the preparation of the Digital Economy Package and discussed possible future cooperation on sustainable use of critical raw materials with the Philippines.
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