Brussels, 12/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Bilateral relations between the EU and the Philippines which have been governed hitherto by the 1980 EU-ASEAN cooperation agreement are about to take on a new dimension.
On the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh on Wednesday 11 July, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) concluded in 2010 which will henceforth govern relations between the EU and the Philippines. The new PCA will bring deeper political dialogue on peace and international security and human rights, stronger economic and trade links, and closer cooperation on issues such as migration and energy. “With the Philippines, Europe has a long historical relationship. We share many common beliefs such as on human rights or on democracy. The level of trust between the Philippines and the EU is such that sensitive political issues are already part of our daily work, be it co-operation on counter-terrorism, non-proliferation or the peace process in Southern Mindanao” (Ed.: the most southerly island of the archipelago which has a strong Muslim minority traditionally at odds with Manila.), said Ashton in a press release. The PCA will first have to be ratified by the member states of the EU and submitted to the European Parliament before it can officially come into force. (EH/transl.rt)