EU welcomes Phl progress in air safety

MANILA, Philippines - The European Union has acknowledged the progress that the Philippines has achieved in air safety, and is looking forward to the day when local carriers would start direct flights to EU.

The EU and the Philippines both welcomed the lifting of the significant safety concerns by the International Civil Aviation Authority at the 8th Senior Officials Meeting between the EU and the Philippines in Brussels last Tuesday.

The Philippines updated the EU on its efforts to strengthen maritime administration and training of seafarers to comply with the requirements of the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. 

With the jobs of an estimated 80,000 Filipino seamen on EU-flagged vessels at stake, the country is bent on preventing any withdrawal of certification rights for Filipino seafarers.

The Philippines is a leading supplier of seafarers, about 25 percent worldwide. The country failed to meet EU standards on maritime education, training and competency certificates, results of a performance audit last April showed.

Also during the senior officials meeting, there was discussion on the progress in bilateral relations with the view to enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, development cooperation, human rights, air and maritime transport, Mindanao peace process, preservation of marine biodiversity, energy and disaster risk reduction and management.

Both sides hailed the signing of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro as a crucial milestone in the Mindanao peace process. 

The Philippines informed the EU that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are now working on the annexes and the different mechanisms identified in the framework agreement.

“The EU welcomed continuation of these positive developments and reiterated its commitment to support the process both politically and through development assistance,” said the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Working Group on Development Cooperation discussed concerns relative to the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 and its review. 

The Philippines and the EU also agreed on two new development initiatives for the Health Sector Reform Contract and the Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Fund. 

The Philippines and the EU likewise reaffirmed their shared interest and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law and agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation. Both sides welcomed the signing of the Financial Agreement of the EPJUST II Program “Justice for All: Enhancing Accessibility, Fighting Impunity.”