EU’s Von Der Leyen slated to visit Philippines on July 31

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be visiting the Philippines from July 31 July to August 1, 2023, and meet President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

Marcos met Von Der Leyen during the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in December 2022 in Brussels.

Her visit is expected to "give a new impetus to the EU-Philippines bilateral relations and engage in discussions on matters of mutual interest, in particular in the ears of trade, the green and digital transition and security.”

The two leaders will discuss trade, investment, and Global Gateway cooperation and the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.

This aims “to address partner countries’ infrastructure needs while addressing the most pressing global challenges such as climate change, improving health systems and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains.”

Von Der Leyen will also speak at a high-level business event organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in partnership with the Makati Business Club (MBC).

The EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was signed in 2012 and ratified by all parties after the Senate concurred in its ratification.

The agreement provides a framework that enables the EU and the Philippines to strengthen their bilateral relationship, particularly on political, social, and economic matters, including human rights.

The EU is also stretching its strategic engagement with the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“The EU launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2021 to recommit the EU politically to the region to contribute to its stability, security, prosperity, and sustainable development, based on shared values and principles including a commitment to respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” according to a press release. —NB, GMA Integrated News