EU, Philippines near conclusion of free trade agreement talks

The EU and the Philippines stand ready to conclude talks on a free trade agreement to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. discussed the ongoing progress during a phone call late Monday.

The European Commission announced that the development comes three years after von der Leyen visited Manila in 2023 to relaunch the trade negotiations.

Von der Leyen welcomed the positive outcome and thanked the negotiating teams led by EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic.

The two leaders agreed that the mutually beneficial deal will generate new business opportunities, attract investment and create more jobs.

They underlined the necessity of collaborating with like-minded partners worldwide to guarantee open, fair and predictable trade amid current geopolitical challenges.

The commission stated that the agreement will also support shared priorities concerning sustainable development and the broader clean and digital transitions.

Von der Leyen congratulated Marcos on the Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

She reiterated the bloc's strong commitment to establishing similarly ambitious free trade agreements across the wider Southeast Asian region.

The European official noted that this pending deal provides an important signal ahead of the 50th anniversary of EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations relations next year.

Von der Leyen expects to travel to the Philippines in 2027 to officially sign the trade document.

She also expressed firm solidarity with the Philippines against aggressive maritime claims and reaffirmed continued regional security support.