BILIRAN Island, Philippines (Philippine News
Agency) — The European Union vowed to continue existing projects
even with the change of administration in the country, but said its lines are
open to "explore new possibilities."
EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said his delegation
has to "wait and see" the new administration's priorities.
"In the short run it will not affect very much with the
project implementation. It may change as the new government may have different
approach. Maybe things will change and we will have to wait and see,"
Jessen told reporters on the sidelines of the EU-funded evacuation center
turnover here on Tuesday.
After their recovery projects for communities hit by Supertyphoon
Yolanda in 2013, the EU has initially listed health, energy, employment, and
human rights as next priority sectors.
"We are always excited with both the old and new governments
and explore new possibilities," he added.
The relationship between the EU and the Philippines has started in
the late 1970s through Europe's dialogue with the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations. The deal was sealed through a signing of agreement in 1980.
For many years, this agreement on economic and political issues
was the primary legal framework for EU relations with the Philippines.
In July 2012, officials signed the EU-Philippines partnership
cooperation agreement to further engage and cooperate on a broad range of
areas, including political dialogue, trade, energy, transport, human rights, education,
science and technology, justice asylum and migration.
Since December 2014, the Philippines has enjoyed enhanced trade
preferences with the EU under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
Negotiations for an EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement were also
launched on Dec. 22, 2015.
"The aim is to conclude an agreement that covers a broad
range of issues, including tariffs, non-tariff barriers to trade, trade in
services and investment, as well as trade aspects of public procurement,
intellectual property, competition and sustainable development," the EU
said in a statement.
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