Relaunch of negotiations for free trade agreement between EU and the Philippines

EU and Philippines will begin bilateral “scoping process” to assess extent to which they share a mutual understanding on future of FTA

Relaunch of negotiations for free trade agreement between EU and the Philippines

Article Posted date 31 July 2023

The European Union (EU) and New Zealand today announced their intention to explore the relaunch of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA).

According to a release from the European Commission, the EU and the Philippines will shortly begin a bilateral “scoping process” to assess the extent to which they share a mutual understanding on the future FTA. If this process concludes successfully, and after consultations with the EU member states, the EU and the Philippines would be in a position to resume FTA negotiations.

  • The EU aims for a comprehensive FTA with the Philippines that includes ambitious market access commitments, swift and effective sanitary and phyto-sanitary procedures, as well as the protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical indications. Sustainability would also be at the heart of the FTA, with robust and enforceable disciplines on trade and sustainable development (TSD). These would be consistent with the Commission's TSD review Communication of June 2022, supporting high levels of protection for workers' rights, for the environment, and the achievement of ambitious climate goals.
  • The Philippines currently enjoys trade preferences under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences + that grants duty-free access to the EU market for two-thirds of tariff lines. This enhanced access is conditional on the Philippines implementing a range of international conventions covering issues such as human and labor rights, good governance, and environmental protection. The EU will continue to monitor the Philippines' compliance with its international obligations in these areas and pursue its ongoing dialogue to encourage further improvement.
  • The EU and the Philippines first launched negotiations for an FTA in 2015. The last negotiating round took place in 2017, and negotiations have since been on hold. On 30 June 2022, the new administration of the Philippines assumed office and has shown willingness to engage with the EU on key issues of importance. 

 

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