Europe-PH News

MANILA, Philippines — The next full round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) is expected to take place in the first quarter of next year.

“It’s foreseen for the beginning of next year. We are now working on a date,” EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro told reporters on the sidelines of Stratbase Group’s Pilipinas Conference .

He said the next round is expected to be held in the first quarter of next year.

The last round of FTA talks between the Philippines and the EU took place in Cebu last month.

There have been four rounds of talks for the FTA since the Philippines and the EU announced the resumption of negotiations in March 2024.

Asked about the impact of the flood control controversy on FTA talks, Santoro said that there has been no significant effect. “It never became a concern because we see that there is action by the government,” he said.

Fighting corruption forms part of the framework for the FTA being negotiated by the Philippines and the EU.

It is also covered in the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), of which the Philippines is a beneficiary.

“We know that the corruption on the flood control (projects) is tackled. There is action by the government. There is clearly a willingness to ensure accountability,” Santoro said.

He said the EU wants the FTA negotiations to be completed well and quickly.

Earlier, he said the EU is hopeful that negotiations will be completed and the FTA will enter into force before the GSP+ expires.

Under the EU GSP+, beneficiary countries, such as the Philippines, can export 6,274 products at zero duty to the bloc until the end of 2027.

Santoro also said that both parties want to move quickly on the FTA amid global headwinds, such as protectionist policies.