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Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171076770441511971114 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The EU flag outside parliament in London, Britain, January 24, 2024. Andy Rain, EPA-EFE"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The EU flag outside parliament in London, Britain, January 24, 2024. <em>Andy Rain, EPA-EFE/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Union and the Philippines announced the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement on Monday, with Brussels saying the first round of talks should begin &quot;later this year&quot;.</p><p>&quot;The conditions are right to take our trade relations to the next level,&quot; EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said at a press conference in Brussels.</p><p>Talks began in 2015 under then-Philippine president Benigno Aquino but stalled two years later under his successor Rodrigo Duterte, whose deadly drug war strained diplomatic relations with the West and sparked an international probe.</p><p>The two sides announced their intention to reopen negotiations during a visit to Manila by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen last year.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/26/is-philippines-marcos-jr-the-eu-s-new-best-friend-841">READ: Is Philippines&#x27; Marcos Jr. the EU&#x27;s new best friend?</a></div><p>The Southeast Asian nation, which depends heavily on trade with China, says it wants to expand its economic relations with other countries to achieve greater &quot;resiliency&quot;.</p><p>The EU is the Philippines&#x27; fourth-largest trading partner and is one of the biggest investors in the country.</p><p>&quot;The future of EU-Philippines economic relations hold immense promise,&quot; Philippines trade minister Alfredo Pascual said.</p><p>The EU is also looking to boost trade ties around the globe with countries that could help diversify its supplies of key raw materials needed in the transition to green technology.</p><p>The Philippines has major reserves of critical raw materials, including nickel, copper and chromite.</p><p>Duterte left power in June 2022 and was succeeded by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p><p>Rights groups last year criticized the EU for turning a blind eye to ongoing abuses in the Philippines and called on the bloc to tie any trade deal to concrete human rights improvements in the country.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/16/marcos-jr-back-in-manila-after-central-europe-visit-2116">READ: Marcos Jr. back in Manila after Central Europe visit</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DamULNWR50c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The European Union and the Philippines announced the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement on Monday, with Brussels saying the first round of talks should begin "later this year."</p>

The European Union and the Philippines announced the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement on Monday, with Brussels saying the first round of talks should begin "later this year."

EU and Philippines relaunch free trade talks

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EU and Philippines relaunch free trade talks

Agence France-Presse

Published Mar 18, 2024 09:32 PM PHT

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European Union

EU

Ursula von der Leyen

Alfredo Pascual

Valdis Dombrovskis

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