EU interest in Phl increasing, says envoy

MANILA, Philippines - The significant increase in the number of visits of European political leaders to the Philippines confirms the increasing interest of the European Union in the country, EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said over the weekend.

In his speech during the Europe Day reception, Ledoux said “the flow of bilateral visit of ministers from European member states as well as Philippine Cabinet members visiting European countries has been steady.”

He also said that the significant increase in the number of visits by European political leaders to the Philippines is no accident as word of high economic growth and good governance has reached Europe, and European political leaders and businessmen are interested to see the changes taking place in the Philippines.

The last 12 months, he said, witnessed remarkable developments in EU-Philippines relations.

Last June, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met European Council president Van Rompuy in Brussels. 

Van Rompuy told Del Rosario that the EU acknowledged that the Philippines’ decision to resolve maritime issues peacefully and within the framework of international law was the right path to take.

Ledoux also said that the lifting of the air ban for major Philippine air carriers is one of the major achievements in EU-Philippines relations.

The EU announced the lifting of the air ban for Philippine Airlines last July, while the lifting of the ban for Cebu Pacific was announced last month. Philippine Airlines has resumed its direct flights to Europe.

Ledoux said last year, the number of European tourists visiting the Philippines increased by eight percent, reaching 376,000 visitors and making Europe the fifth largest tourism market for the Philippines.

“In fact the Philippines has recently been named as one of the top 20 destinations for 2014 by a European newspaper,” he added.

He also noted that the EU is not only a source of tourists for the Philippines but also a favorite tourism destination of Filipinos.

The European tourism industry generates more than 10 percent of the EU gross domestic product and provides jobs for approximately 10 million people. European hospitability companies are investing in the Philippine tourism industry, creating jobs and sharing their experience.

“This is a very promising field for more cooperation between Europe and the Philippines,” Ledoux said.

“Filipinos are known worldwide for their amazing hospitability because when they have visitors they do make them feel at home… I have personally experienced it so many times during my time in the Philippines,” he added.