Press Statement of Secretary Enrique A. Manalo after Bilateral Meeting with EU High Representative and Vice President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas on 02 June 2025

High Representative and Vice President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas,

Delegates from the European Union,

Colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Friends from the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

It is my great pleasure to welcome HRVP Kallas to the Philippines and have the opportunity to build upon the discussions we had earlier this year on the sidelines of the Munich Security Forum.

HRVP Kallas’ visit is another testament of the PH and the EU’s enduring friendship, underpinned by our shared commitment to democracy, good governance, the rule of law, human rights, and sustainable development.

Today, our relationship reaches another significant milestone with our decision to create a Security and Defense Dialogue.  This Dialogue will provide a mechanism for the PH and the EU to discuss security- and defense-related issues with both depth and regularity.

We have already laid the groundwork for this collaboration with the establishment of the Subcommittee on Maritime Cooperation under the PH-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.  We also have ongoing collaboration under the Critical Marine Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO II) and the Enhancing Security Cooperation in and within Asia (ESIWA).

As like-minded partners committed to a rules-based international order, we hope that  through the Security and Defense Dialogue we will remain proactive and united in addressing emerging security threats and challenges that transcend borders— cyberattacks and foreign interference and manipulation of information (FIMI) to name a few.

HRVP Kallas and I also had an engaging discussion on other key aspects of our bilateral relations, notably in the area of economic cooperation and climate change.

I emphasized the importance of deepening our economic ties as we pursue greater collaboration in trade and investment through the conclusion of the PH-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  Noting the firm commitment of both sides in advancing negotiations, I expressed the Philippines’ hope for the continued support of the EU and its Member States toward the early conclusion of negotiations of a comprehensive, balanced, and modern FTA.

I acknowledged the significance of the EU’s flagship initiatives—the Green Economy Programme, Copernicus, and the Digital Economy Package—as a comprehensive approach to promoting sustainable development in the Philippines.

During the meeting, we also reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and support for non-aggression, sovereign equality, and the territorial integrity of all nations, including for UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

These principles shape the Philippines’ consistent positions on key global and regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine and the West Philippine Sea. We thank the  EU and its Member States for their clear and principled statements of support regarding incidents in the South China Sea.

I expressed the Philippines’ continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, expressed through our votes in UN General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine. And I reiterated our call on concerned Parties to seek a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

We also appreciate the EU’s continued commitment to ASEAN centrality and we look forward to closer coordination with the EU during the Philippine Chairship of ASEAN next year.

Though today’s geopolitical uncertainties may be challenging, the enduring strength of Philippines–EU relations provides a solid foundation for us to pursue shared goals and develop forward-looking solutions.

Thank you and good afternoon. END