BOLSTERING PH-EU RELATIONS. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (4thfrom L), Philippine (PH) Special Envoy to the European Union (EU) Edgardo Angara (3rd from L), Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (leftmost) and Members of the EU Parliament led by Soraya Post (5th from L) freely exchanged views on the political and economic fronts of the PH-EU relations in a meeting on 18 July in Makati. On the issue of human rights, Sec. Lopez stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign and state efforts to apprehend illegal drug elements have always been anchored on the tenets of human rights and the rule of law. He said that majority of Filipinos feels safer today and approves the President’s leadership, citing the latest 82% approval rating. The meeting also touched on the need for EU to engage PH thru the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as it is precisely a meaningful program assistance developed by EU to help a trade partner institute socio-economic reform resulting from greater trade and economic activities. Such also increase income in rural communities, as well as in areas experiencing conflicts. Meanwhile, the trade chief encouraged EU to maximize its economic relations with the growing PH domestic market and its free trade access to ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners. Former Senate President Angara and Usec. Rodolfo assured the delegation that a whole-of-government approach is being undertaken to comply with the GSP+ monitoring requirements. They also shared the government’s move to put a stop on the end of contract (endo) scheme despite its perceived short-term impacts on the competitiveness of domestic industries.
