Relations bet Ph and EU to be resolved with new admin
By Nidz Godino
“I think things will change and I think that normally in the ASEAN, you always have that issue, I mean when it comes to trade,” President Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III said during the Pandesal Forum relationship with European Union will be resolved by change in leadership, after its parliament warned of a temporary withdrawal of trade perks until Philippines addresses issues on human rights.
Concepcion said relations between two parties are expected to be renewed with a new president, as the country is set to hold its national elections in May.
“I believe as we elect new leader, there will be reset in relationships, no, and I’m optimistic that that issue can be resolved with this election coming in, new president, and I’m sure everybody will want to reset that relationship,” he continued.
Philippines will hold its national and local elections on May 9 this year.
This comes after European Union Parliament last week adopted a resolution calling on EU Commission to implement benchmarks for Philippines to achieve with its human rights issues, and to start temporary removal of trade incentives.
Some 627 members of parliament voted in favor of the measure, 21 voted against, and 31 abstained from voting.
For his part, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Philippines has been cooperating with EU, and has addressed concerns in dialogue mechanisms.
“The allegations are not new, and Philippine government has always responded and been giving submissions to facilitate EU GSP plus monitoring to show country’s compliance with the 27 international core conventions on HR, labor, environment, and good governance,” he explained in a separate statement.
The Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+), currently under review by the EU, is a tariff mechanism that gives developing countries including Philippines privilege of exporting zero-duty merchandise to EU member states.
It requires Philippine ratification of 27 international conventions which cater to human and labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance, among others.
“To date, Philippines still enjoys EU GSP plus preferences, and this actually redounds to the benefit not only of the investors but marginalized sectors of the economy, the fisherfolks, farmers, MSMEs, the workers in value chain of the exporters, precisely fulfilling objectives of the GSP plus, which is to help address poverty and inequality,” Lopez said.
The Philippines in 2020 exported some 1.6-billion Euro worth of goods under the GSP+, reflecting an all-time high utilization rate of 75% for eligible exports.
The EU has repeatedly stressed importance of human rights as one of the requisites under the GSP+ as far back as 2017.
European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom then said the Philippines could possibly lose billions of dollars in trade deals with EU should judicial concerns in the country persist.
The EU parliament issued a resolution urging Philippine authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the death toll into the bloody war on drugs under President Rodrigo Duterte.
That drew a rebuke from President Rodrigo Duterte, who cursed the EU for allegedly meddling in Philippine affairs.
ISKUP! 