PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Philippines and the European Union (EU) signed a landmark treaty on Wednesday, July 11, that will pave the way for a full-scale free trade agreement between the two countries.
The Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) provides legal basis for Manila and EU states and territories to cooperate in a wide range of areas. It was signed by foreign affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton Catherine Ashton at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ meeting held this week in the Cambodian capital.
“I believe the PCA provides an opportunity and basis for the Philippines and EU to work closely together in addressing real challenges such as the global financial crisis, migration, the pursuit of development goals, expanding trade and investment, improving development cooperation, and promoting international peace and security, and human rights,” said del Rosario.
The PCA is a prerequisite to an FTA that will enhance trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and EU.
The treaty also calls for a dialogue and cooperation on various political and development issues: peace process, conflict prevention, human rights, security, drug trafficking and money laundering, migrant’s welfare, employment, disaster risk management, energy, environment, agriculture, regional development, tourism, health and education.
Philippine trade with the EU in 2011 totalled US$10.4 billion. The country also received about P2.5 billion in development assistance from the EU last year.
The treaty was first broached in 2004, when the EU proposed to upgrade its relationship with ASEAN. Officials from the European Commission and the Philippines carried out preliminary talks during the Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM) in Helsinki in September 2006 and Beijing in October 2008, but formal negotiations began in Manila in February 2009. An agreement was reached in the seventh round of negotiations in Brussels in June 2010.
The EU has signed similar PCAs with Indonesia and Vietnam. It is currently in talks with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. –Paul John Caña, Rappler.com
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
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Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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