As the globe continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. sees the European Union (EU) as one of the "extremely crucial" driving forces behind "the new global economy" in the Asia-Pacific region.
Marcos, along with a number of Cabinet members and other participants, arrived home after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-the European Union (Asean-EU) Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
As he exchanged opinions "on what is in store for Asean-EU cooperation, particularly on areas of mutual interest and concern such as connectivity, trade, digital transition, food security, climate change, geopolitics, among others," the President said in his speech upon arrival that his trip had been "very productive."
The adoption of the Asean-EU Plan of Action for 2023 to 2027 and the successful conclusion of the first-ever Summit between Asean and EU Leaders were recent milestones in Asean-EU relations under the Philippines' coordinatorship, Marcos said. "I was honoured to deliver one of the opening remarks during the Commemorative Summit," he added.
"And this is a very important development because it shows how strongly the EU has turned to the Asia-Pacific region as the engine of the new global economy. And this is not particularly remarkable given that the EU and Asean are two of the most active, well-organized, and cohesive organisations in the world in terms of geopolitical aggrupation "Added he.
Because it serves "over billions and billions of people both in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific," the President added, this collaboration is crucial.
He also praised the Joint Leaders' Statement, the outcome of lengthy negotiations between Asean and EU Member States, for being adopted at the Asean-EU Commemorative Summit.
Marcos stated at the 10th Asean-EU Business Summit that he shared the Philippines' viewpoint on advancing Asean-EU commerce through initiatives to promote sustainable development, which is the focus of the Business Summit organised by the Asean-EU Business Council.
Through its numerous initiatives and insightful recommendations, which have been very helpful in terms of prioritising areas and initiatives for Asean's regional economic integration, the Asean-EU Business Council "has a pivotal role to play in advancing Asean's regional economic integration and post-pandemic economic recovery efforts," he said.
The President claimed that during his tour, he also met with a number of business executives from various European firms.
In particular, he mentioned efforts related to infrastructure, food security, renewable energy, and climate change. "All of them vowed to be a part of our progress and our economic prosperity," he said.
We will be striving to address some of our main economic difficulties with the help of European technology, innovation, and Filipino intellect, industry, and resourcefulness, he continued.
The President also mentioned that they had met with a number of influential shipowners from across Europe, and that "through the establishment of an advisory council composed of our concerned government agencies, international and local shipowners, and other stakeholders, we were able to get their commitment to help our country hurdle some of the challenges in our seafarers' EMSA accreditation."
"Beyond that, I was able to meet with President Ursula von der Leyen of the EU Commission, who is in control of the Commission rather than the EU. Actually, they are the ones who grant that accreditation "explained Marcos.
We have a three-month deadline, so we must address all of the deficiencies that EMSA has been pointing out within that time frame, he continued. "So I explained to her what we have done, that we have this new advisory council, and she made a promise that she would - that the Commission itself would provide technical help to us so that within the three months - we have a three-month deadline - within the three months that we will be able to remedy all of the deficiencies that EMSA
The President expressed his desire to "present more positive news in the coming months that underscores the optimism with which international investors perceive the Philippines today."
"As a member of the Asia-Pacific, we are still perceived as resuming our function as the engine of the world economy. The Philippines plays a significant role in that and is regarded by Europeans as an appealing investment, according to what they told me. Vietnam is regarded as being the most desirable investment among them, with the Philippines coming in at number two. So while we are doing well, there is always space for improvement "he added.