17 September 2014 - President Benigno S. Aquino III held talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at the Council headquarters in Brussels during the second day of his working visit to Belgium.
The President was warmly received by President Van Rompuy. He recalled their previous meeting in Vientiane, Laos in November 2012 at the sidelines of the ASEM 9 meeting where they had productive exchange of views on matters of common interest to the Philippines and the European Union.
In the meeting, President Van Rompuy commended the Philippines for the various positive reforms which were carried out under President Aquino's administration. He specifically mentioned the Philippine efforts towards achieving good governance, poverty alleviation and economic growth, including measures to enforce just application of law and justice.
President Aquino briefed President Van Rompuy on developments in the Mindanao peace process and welcomed EU's continued support for the region's economic growth.
President Van Rompuy noted the encouraging partnership between the Philippines and the European Union and urged that this should be enhanced citing the number of areas of cooperation contained in the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in 2012.
President Aquino sought EU's continued support for a peaceful and rule-based settlement of disputes in the South China Sea. He discussed the Philippines' proposed Triple Action Plan (TAP) - a positive, constructive and comprehensive approach to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and requested EU's support for it.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and other international issues such as ASEAN integration where President Van Rompuy reiterated EU's support. They discussed as well the 10th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled in Milan next month, in particular the expectations of this upcoming meeting.
President Aquino's meeting with President Van Rompuy came at the most opportune moment. The Philippines and the EU celebrate the 50th year of their bilateral relations this year. END