Brussels, 27/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - In early April, Karel De Gucht reaffirmed the EU's wish to negotiate a trade agreement with the Philippines. This has led to the shaping up of a “scoping exercise” for the agreement.
On the sidelines of an ASEAN ministerial meeting in Phnom Pen in early April, attended by the trade commissioner, De Gucht reiterated to the Philippine authorities his wish for a free trade agreement to be negotiated with the archipelago, Philippine daily Business World reported on 19 April. De Gucht spoke of the EU's resolve to include chapters in the agreement on public procurement, intellectual property, competition, the environment, labour and human rights. The Philippine authorities placed emphasis on market access, the trade in services and trade facilitation, according to Philippine media reports. The meeting preceded a “scoping exercise” for the agreement. The Philippine Trade Department also ordered an impact assessment study for the agreement, the results of which are expected in June, Business World reports. (EH/transl.jl)