PH to receive EU parliamentarians: DFA

In a statement Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the visit signifies expanding dialogue and cooperation between the Philippines and the European Union. (File Photo By Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Philippines has accepted the request of the European Parliament (EP) Subcommittee on Human Rights to visit the country on Feb. 22-24.

In a statement Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the visit signifies expanding dialogue and cooperation between the Philippines and the European Union.

“The Philippines’ relationships with the European Union (EU) and its members have steadily expanded across political, economic and security areas,” the DFA said. “These relationships are founded on mutual interest and shared values of democracy and freedom, rule of law, peace and stability and human rights”.

The visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Brussels in December for the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit highlighted opportunities for the broad expansion of Philippines-EU trade and investment.

These, as the country is projected to lead economic recovery in the region with an estimated annual growth forecast of seven percent this year and the Philippine “sweet spot” demographic anchors sustained future growth.

“The visit of the EP is taking place in the context of the open and regular engagement between the Philippines and the EU on human rights, and the shared aim to further constructive dialogue and cooperation on human rights, including in the framework of the EU GO-JUST Program which supports and complements national reforms in the justice sector,” the DFA said.

According to the EU delegation in the Philippines, the subcommittee visits several countries in a year using their own budget as part of their core work. Six members of the EP will head the delegation visiting Manila.

During their visit, the delegation will meet counterparts in the Senate and the House of Representatives to exchange views on best practices and legislation.

The delegation will also pay courtesy calls on Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla Jr. and Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual. It will also hold dialogue with executive agencies.