Belgian princess due in PHL to discuss investments —Dureza

Princess Astrid of Belgium will lead a high-level economic team to the Philippines in May 2017 to discuss possible investments in the country, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said on Monday.

Dureza said he flew to Brussels, Belgium last August 25 from Oslo, Norway to meet with representatives of the European Union who also has interests with the ongoing peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army and the Bangsamoro peace process.

He added he also met with Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders.

"I flew from Oslo, Norway to Brussels, the capital of EU, it’s only a two-hour flight from Norway, because the Belgian Government, who hosts the EU, was very interested to know about the peace process. And because of the planned visit of Princess Astrid who is scheduled to come here in May 2017 to head a high-level economic team for investments," Dureza said in a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Princess Astrid is the sister of the current Belgian monarch, King Philippe.

Dureza said possible investments from the EU include renewable energy but the exact schedule of Princess Astrid is still being finalized.

Meanwhile, Dureza said the EU asked for updates on the Bangsamoro peace process, as they are a major benefactor.

“Remember the EU has a very strong presence in our Bangsamoro peace process. They are the biggest supporters in the Bangsamoro negotiations that we have. Malaki ang tulong nila terms of support, funding, grants and all,” he said.

Dureza added he also clarified with the EU the ongoing campaign of the Duterte administration against illegal drugs and the spate of extrajudicial killings.

He mentioned that many of the EU-led projects in the Philippines are linked with human rights issues.

“They asked about the issue ng drug campaign natin. Yung patayan daw dito sa atin maraming namamatay. Many of our agreements with EU may mga kabalikat yung human rights issues kasi e,” Dureza said.

“These are all tied down to human rights issues so napakahalaga na mai-clarify sa kanila. But they know what is exactly happening here dahil may mga tao rin sila dito,” he added. — NB/BAP, GMA News