EU ambassadors celebrate Europe Day 2025, pledge support for Philippines’ sovereignty

Over 20 ambassadors from European Union member states on Thursday marked Europe Day 2025 at an event headed by Ambassador Massimo Santoro of the EU Delegation to the Philippines. 

The event at the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati was held in the presence of top Philippine officials including Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and the Apostolic Papal Nuncio—who also serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps—and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to upholding a rules-based international order.

Santoro made it clear that the EU stands firmly with the Philippines on the issue of the West Philippine Sea. “With the Philippines, we defend and promote a rules-based international order, not the law of the strongest. Whether in Europe, the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea, our mission is to strengthen the role of global institutions,” he declared. 

This statement comes amid longstanding EU concerns over certain actions in the West Philippine Sea, a region where tensions have repeatedly underscored the need for steadfast international norms.

Several of the EU’s wealthiest and most influential nations—among them France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, and Denmark—already have individual agreements with the Philippines aimed at enhancing defense and maritime security cooperation. 

These partnerships complement the Philippines’ mutual defense treaties with countries like Japan, Australia, and the United States, further reinforcing a collective commitment to peace and regional stability.

Lazaro echoed this sentiment, stating, “A number of EU countries are very like-minded with us on issues of the South China Sea. Maritime cooperation represents a crucial aspect of our relationship with the EU.” 

Her remarks underscored the practical benefits of these alliances in maintaining the security and sovereignty of the Philippines.

Beyond defense, the EU-Philippines partnership is evolving economically. 

With the United States recently ramping up tariffs on products from various countries, the European Union is diligently crafting the framework for an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines. “Together, we are working for an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that will serve as the foundation for enhanced bilateral trade and investment,” Santoro explained. 

The envisioned FTA would potentially allow tax-free export of Filipino products to EU markets and exempt European imports from tariffs—a move that promises increased profitability for Filipino exporters and more affordable goods for local consumers.

Reflecting on the economic prospects, Lazaro said, “We hope that next year, with the support of the GSP Plus framework, our new free trade deal will provide a robust boost to our business community and exporters.”

In addition to security and trade, the EU delegation emphasized its commitment to environmental protection. Aligning its initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Gateway investment strategy. — BM, GMA Integrated News