European Union–Philippines relations

European Union	Philippines
Diplomatic mission
European Union Delegation,Makati	Philippine Mission,Brussels
Envoy
Ambassador Massimo Santoro	Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda

TheEuropean Union and thePhilippines share diplomatic, economic, cultural, and political relations. The European Union has provided millions ofeuros to the Philippines to fight poverty and counter-terrorism againstterrorist groups in thesouthern Philippines. The European Union is also the third-largest trading partner of the Philippines. There are more than 30,000 Europeans living in the Philippines, not includingSpaniards because many Spaniards who settled during thecolonial era (1565–1898) intermarried and assimilated into Filipino society. As a result,their descendants are often considered Filipino rather than foreign nationals.^[1][2][3]

TheEuropean Union and the Philippines are coming up with a more comprehensive bilateral agreement that will further strengthen the dialogue, cooperation and action in their partnership, specifically the issue of migration. There are more than 900,000 Filipinos in Europe.^[4] The Philippines exports to the European Union include: coconut oil, electronic micro assemblies, electrical and electronic machinery, equipment, semiconductor devices, storage units, static converters, other brakes and servo-brakes and parts, and digital monolithic integrated circuits.^[5]

EU–Filipino ties have soured since thePhilippine Drug War led by PresidentRodrigo Duterte. In September 2016, in response to growing casualties andextrajudicial killings, the European Parliament expressed concern over the, "extraordinarily high numbers killed during police operations ... in the context of an intensified anti-crime and anti-drug campaign". In a resolution passed by the EU, it called for the government to investigate abuse, "in full compliance with national and international obligations and respect for human rights" and stated that, "President Duterte repeatedly urged law enforcement agencies and the public to kill suspected drug traffickers who did not surrender, as well as drug users". They also claimed that "President Duterte publicly stated he would not pursue law enforcement officers and citizens who killed drug dealers who resisted arrest".^[6]

In response, President Duterte lambasted at the EU politicians, singling out those from Britain and France, calling them "hypocrites" and accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of thousands caused by their ancestors during the colonial period.^[7] Raising his middle finger, Duterte stated that he told EU politicians, "Fuck you. You are only doing it to atone for your own sins" and "They do not want a safe Philippines. They want it to be ruled by criminals. Oh, well, I'm sorry. That is your idiotic view".^[8] Duterte also claimed, in response to growing international criticism, the "EU now has the gall to condemn me. I repeat it, 'fuck you'".^[9] On January 24, 2018, P380 million (6.1 million euros) in aid spearheaded by the administration of former presidentNoynoy Aquino through a deal was officially rejected and blocked by PresidentRodrigo Duterte due to the belief that the Philippines does not need aid from any country. On the same month, Duterte welcomed aid fromChina, in exchange, allowed Chinese research vessels to enter thePhilippine Rise. Duterte's move to block the European aid was rejected by 70% of Filipinos according to a poll.^[10]

An agreement signed covers legal migration, maritime labor, education, and training. The agreement also provides dialogue and cooperation on political matters including the peace process on trade and investment such as customs facilitation and intellectual property rights on justice and security.^[11] After many years of negotiation under PresidentNoynoy Aquino, the P383.64 million in aid deal to the Philippines from the EU was formally approved in 2018, however, was rejected and blocked by PresidentRodrigo Duterte, the new incumbent at the time, citing personal hatred towards the EU. The EU has criticized Duterte for his deadly drug war which has killed more than 14,000 Filipino drug suspects in less than 18 months and the imprisonment of opposition senatorLeila de Lima due to testimonies from rapists, murderers, and drug traffickers which de Lima sent to jail when she was Justice Secretary. The senator was denied bail from a case that was deemed bailable by Filipino laws.^[12]

In December 2011,Northern Mindanao was devastated byTropical Storm Washi. TheEuropean Commission allocated€3 million ($3.9 million) to provide emergency relief to people affected by Tropical Storm Washi.^[14] In December 2012, the European Commission provided €10 million (PH₱ 543 million) for the victims ofTyphoon Bopha, notably in the provinces ofCompostela Valley andDavao Oriental inMindanao.^[15] AfterTyphoon Haiyan in November 2013, the European Commission announced a donation of €3 million to be made for the victims affected by the tropical storm.^[16]

The Philippines were among the countries withair carriers banned in the European Union. However, in 2013, the European Union lifted a three-year ban onPhilippine Airlines flying into its airspace after the national carrier addressed safety concerns. The European Commission and the Air Safety Committee are encouraged by the actions being taken by theCivil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Philippine air carriers to address outstanding safety issues.^[17] In April 2014, the European Union lifted its ban onCebu Pacific, making it the second airline in the Philippines with granted rights to fly within the European Union airspace.^[18] The following year, in June 2015, the European Union announced that the ban of allPhilippine-based airlines was lifted, removing the country from the list.^[19]

On September 18, 2020, the European Union pointed out the lack ofhuman rights in the Philippines under theDuterte administration. The administration has been facing a lot of opposition in the international community, as it launched one of the most controversial programs, the "Philippine Drug War". The program has brought a rise in extra-judicial killings (EJK) that has angered local and international audiences. During a meeting of the European Union, the parliament discussed potential tariffs and sanctions on Philippine trade, causing a commotion in theCongress of the Philippines. Presidential SpokespersonHarry Roque has pleaded to the international ambassadors to the EU to convince them that the condition of the Filipino people is okay. House LeaderAlan Peter Cayetano has sent a letter to the European Union that states its dedication into international comity and recognition of sovereignty.

• Foreign relations of the European Union
• Foreign relations of the Philippines

• European Union in the Philippines

• Philippines–European Union relations
• Foreign relations of the Philippines
• Third-country relations of the European Union

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