Envoy: EU, PH prioritizing FTA

MANILA--The European Union (EU) and the Philippines will pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) despite recent developments in the country’s ties with the bloc.

In a press conference in Makati City Tuesday, EU Ambassador to the Philippines and Head of Delegation Franz Jessen said the 28 EU member states are interested to make EU-Philippines FTA a reality.

“What we are really particularly interested, particularly the EU side, is the progress on free trade agreement,” Jessen said.

“In fact, when I met the President, it was a key priority I’ve raised with him and he was mutually interested in moving this forward,” he added.

The envoy noted that the EU and the Philippine government are working closely in pursuing the FTA.

In May, the two parties began the first round of FTA negotiations in Brussels, Belgium.

The second round of FTA talks will be held in the country in December.

In 2015, EU and the Philippines bilateral trade has increased by four percent to 13 billion euros.