MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ng European Union (EU) nitong Huwebes ang suporta sa panawagan ng Pilipinas na respetuhin ang international law sa pagtugon sa mga alitan sa West Philippine Sea.
Sa talumpati sa harap ng joint European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) at ng EU-ASEAN Business Council gala dinner sa Makati City kung saan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang keynote speaker, kinilala ni EU’s ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron kung paano isinusulong ng EU at ng Pilipinas ang “concept of rule of law, and a rules-based international order.”
Kinilala rin niya ang paninindigan ng Philippine government sa Russia-Ukraine war, maging ang posisyon ng EU sa isyu ng territorial disputes sa pinag-aagawang West Philippine Sea.
“Our relationship is hinged on common strategic interests. Both the EU and the Philippines champion the concept of rule of law… and a rules-based international order,” pahayag ni Véron.
“We value that your country has consistently voted with the Europe and the international community to urge the end of the Russian’s aggression towards Ukraine. In the same way, we strongly recognize the need to respect international law in the West Philippine Sea,” dagdag niya.
Gayundin, ibinida ng ambassador ang pagsisikap ng Philippine government sa paglikha ng “more conducive business climate,” at sinabing oting the passage of legal reforms that further opened the country to more foreign investments.
“My EU colleagues and I, as well as the chamber, are committed to help smoothen the path for the Philippines for more prominence on the EU map, but it is only your government that can keep the country on this path through effective implementation of its planned reforms,” he said.
Ang EU, ayon kay Véron, ay “looking forward” din sa pagpapalakas sa relasyon ng bloc sa Pilipinas, partikular sa pag-marka sa ika-60 taon ng kanilang diplomatic relations sa susunod na taon.
“When we turn 60, just like what happened to some of us, we might tend to slow down and believe that we may have reached the peak. However, the EU and the Philippines are nowhere near the peak,” aniya.
“While we reached many milestones in our decades-long friendship, I look forward to celebrating more,” dagdag niya. RNT/SA
