President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed gratitude to European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Serge Gustave Eugène Véron for his role in achieving a “much deeper interconnection” between the Philippines and the EU.
“I, myself, you’ve been a [partner] for the last three years. And I think that in that time we really have seen a much deeper interconnection between the Philippines and the EU,” President Marcos said during the EU official’s farewell call in Malacañang.
“I don’t think we’ve had this close relationship with the EU as we have now. And I’m happy that that’s the case,” he added.
Following his designation as ambassador in November 2020, Véron arrived in the Philippines on December 15, 2020, and presented his credentials in Malacañang on February 10, 2021.
Prior to his appointment, Véron held various positions at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission.
During Thursday’s call, Véron was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Silver Distinction (Katangiang Pilak) for his significant contributions to strengthening Philippine-EU bilateral relations.
“For his (Véron) role in promoting the rule of law and the rules-based international order and in furthering the long-standing commitment and consistent contributions of the European Union toward securing peace and development in Mindanao, through the peace process, grassroots development, and the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” a portion of the citation stated.
“For his efforts to obtain and provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in times of natural disaster and during the Covid-19 pandemic and for his many laudable initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the peoples of the Philippines and the European Union; have caused to be inscribed in the roster the order of Sikatuna,” the citation further stated.
The citation also mentioned Véron’s efforts “in the conclusion of numerous cooperation agreements, especially in the field of development cooperation, to support the Philippines’ priorities in the fields of climate change, a green and resilient economy, energy, digital connectivity, good governance, trade and investment, space science technology, and maritime cooperation and security.”
The EU is a steadfast development partner of the Philippines in achieving its development goals, and has extended support through various means for the peace and development process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Regarding the West Philippine Sea issue, the EU showed strong support for the Philippines following China’s aggressive actions in the vital waterway, with the country expressing hope for the EU’s continued support in upholding a rules-based international order and rule of law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The EU also extended EUR 1.2 million (over PhP76 million) in humanitarian aid to families in the areas hardest hit by Typhoons Butchoy (Prapiroon) and Carina (Gaemi) last month.
Last year, the country’s total trade with the EU amounted to US$16.163 billion, with exports valued at US$8.374 billion and imports at US$7.789 billion.
The Philippines’ top exports to the EU include digital monolithic integrated circuits; semiconductor devices manufactured from materials on a consignment basis; coconut (copra) oil, crude; input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing; and storage units.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ top imports from the EU include aeroplanes and other aircraft, materials, accessories, and supplies imported on a consignment basis for the manufacture of dice, medicaments, edible offal of swine, and digital monolithic integrated circuits.
In 2023, approved EU investments from Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) amounted to US$13.412 billion. *PND* (PCO) – AL
