Brussels, 02/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the 42nd meeting of economy ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN/Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) on 27 August in Danang, Trade Secretary for the Philippines Gregory L. Domingo told European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht of Manila's interest in a bilateral free trade agreement between the EU and the Philippines. It is now necessary to establish a timetable for exploratory discussions, a source at the Philippine Ministry of Trade explained, cited by the national economic daily, Business World, on 2 September. “From the EU perspective, I certainly believe that there is a considerable scope for strengthening EU-Philippines trade and investment”, the EU ambassador to the Philippines, Alistair McDonald, confirmed. Formal signature of the partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA), which was initialled between the EU and the Philippines at the end of June, should facilitate talks with a view to a bilateral free trade agreement. It should also allow dialogue, cooperation and action between the partners on political issues (such as international peace and security and human rights) to be strengthened, as well as questions relating to justice and migration and economic and trade issues (EUROPE 101698). An independent study carried out in 2009 concludes that bilateral discussions between Manila and the EU would be salutary for the economy of the Philippines (see EUROPE 10024). (E.H./transl. jl)