Lopez optimistic on EU-GSP+ retention

The European Union (EU) is now less concerned with issues that were earlier seen affecting its trade relations with the Philippines, a development that would likely result to the retention of existing trade privileges being enjoyed by the country, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Lopez had the chance to talk to EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom on the sidelines of the 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Argentina earlier this month.

He said the result of their discussion was encouraging, making him even more confident the country would not lose its privileges under the EU General System of Preferences (GSP) Plus program which allows the country to export 6,274 eligible products duty-free to the EU market.

“It seems now that they are less concerned. So now, there is a higher likelihood of continuing… it has a better probability,” Lopez said.

Results of the latest GSP Plus review is expected to come out next month.

“They are reviewing a lot of aspects as part of the monitoring they conduct. But overall message is we are optimistic they would like to engage us. Even on the aid, they are even working it out on how to make acceptable their participation. Their tone is how can we help,” Lopez said.

The country’s beneficiary status under the GSP Plus necessitates the implementation of the 27 international treaties and conventions on human rights, labor rights, environment, and governance.

Members of the EU Parliament had earlier expressed concern about the alleged cases of extrajudicial cases in the country.

The Philippine government, led by Lopez and Special Envoy to the EU Edgardo Angara, met with trade institutions and parliament ministers in Brussels last September to give a clearer picture of the real situation in the Philippines, particularly on the EU’s concern on alleged violations of human rights in the country in relation to President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.