EU seeks Philippine ties beyond trade, aid

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union intends to have a  "more strategically well-rounded" partnership with the Philippines beyond business and humanitarian efforts.

Catherine Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and European Commission vice president, said in her recent visit in Manila that the EU has sought new ways of collaboration with the Philippines beyond "trade and aid."

One area is the EU support to the Centre of Excellence for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear risk mitigation in Manila, which opened in 2013.

"This Centre of Excellence now runs activities on bio safety, nuclear safety and emergency planning," Ashton said told Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday. "This is an important new way in which we collaborate."

Ashton said her visit serves to strengthen political dialogue and reaffirm links with Manila.

"As you said, the European Union is the biggest investor in the Philippines, and we are very proud of this. We have 7.5 billion euros, which represent 30 percent of all foreign
investment and which generate more than 400,000 jobs," Ashton noted.

Also read: EU rejects use of force in sea row

The 28-member union is the country's third top trading partner, with trade  reaching 11 billion euros in 2013, and its largest investor.

"The good news on all those figures is that they are growing year after year and we intend to ensure that this growth continues," Ashton said.

Related: Philippines, 10 others agree to joint MH17 prosecution