21 March 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomes the resumption of negotiations for a Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA), which was jointly announced in Brussels by the Philippines and the EU on 18 March 2024.

During the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to Germany and the Czech Republic, the President emphasized the importance of the PH-EU FTA in achieving shared prosperity, stable economic growth and sustainable development not only for the Philippines, but also for the Indo-Pacific region.

The DFA appreciates the continued engagement of the European Commission on the formal talks for the FTA, following the successful conclusion of the stock-taking exercises conducted by working level experts from both PH and EU last September to December 2023.

We look forward to further coordination and dialogue with the EU in pursuit of a comprehensive, balanced and modern FTA. END