On Tuesday 15 January, the Philippines Minister for Trade and Industry, Ramon Lopez, said that he was confident that the trade preferences granted by the EU to the Philippines under the special SPG + system of generalised preferences (SPG) would be maintained.
The Philippines Department for International Trade was able to present the EU with an update on the positive impact of the SPG + system of generalised preferences during the most recent meeting between Lopez and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. Mr Lopez’s ideas were reported in the Philippine media outlet, The Manila Times.
Lopez indicated, "We want to continue to benefit from the EU trade preferences because they benefit our farmers, fishermen and manufacturers”. He also provided assurances that the Philippines had recorded a 20%-30% growth in their exports to the EU.
The granting of the EU trade preferences to the Philippines under the terms of the SPG + system, as well as continuing negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (launched at the beginning of 2016), have been subject to doubt at both the European Commission and Parliament, following a deterioration in the humans rights situation in the country, as a result of the violent war being waged against drug traffickers by the Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, since his election in June 2016 (see EUROPE 11745 and 11766).
Mr Lopez commented, “Ultimately, they are ensuring that the country they are assisting remains a legitimate country that respects the agreement on labour rights, individual rights and environment. We have been coherent in the assurances we have made them that we are adhering to all these agreements and we are very confident that will be able to prove it and that we deserve the SPG + from the EU to be maintained".
In a few days' time, the Commission is due to publish its 2nd second annual report on the effects of the reformed SPGs, including the SPG +, for sustainable development and good governance. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)