President Aquino yesterday wrapped up his two-day visit here with the
two countries vowing to bolster trade and development ties, fight
transnational crime, as well as explore a possible air transportation
pact.
President Aquino also sought Spain’s support to the country’s position in the territorial dispute with China.
After Spain, the President was scheduled to proceed to Brussels, Belgium, Monday afternoon for a three-day visit. This is the second leg of his grueling four-nation swing in Europe to enhance the Philippines’ ties with these countries. His next stopovers will be France and Germany.
Before flying to Brussels, the President held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the Palacio de la Moncloa where they discussed how to enhance diplomatic, trade, and security between the two nations.
Other issues tackled by the two leaders were the Bangsamoro peace agreement, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
“I look forward to closer cooperation between our countries with the signing of the extension of our bilateral development partnership until 2017,” Coloma said quoting the President.
“We greatly appreciate being the only priority country in Asia under the Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation in 2013-2016,” the President added.
In the meeting, the President highlighted the Philippine economic growth of 7.2 percent in 2013 and 6 percent in the first half of 2014 despite the uncertain global environment and the impact of disasters. He noted that the country aims to grow by 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in 2014. “I am happy to note the positive economic news in Spain. I hope that the economic gains in both our countries would translate into increased bilateral trade and investments,” the President said.
After Spain, the President was scheduled to proceed to Brussels, Belgium, Monday afternoon for a three-day visit. This is the second leg of his grueling four-nation swing in Europe to enhance the Philippines’ ties with these countries. His next stopovers will be France and Germany.
Before flying to Brussels, the President held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the Palacio de la Moncloa where they discussed how to enhance diplomatic, trade, and security between the two nations.
Other issues tackled by the two leaders were the Bangsamoro peace agreement, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
“I look forward to closer cooperation between our countries with the signing of the extension of our bilateral development partnership until 2017,” Coloma said quoting the President.
“We greatly appreciate being the only priority country in Asia under the Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation in 2013-2016,” the President added.
In the meeting, the President highlighted the Philippine economic growth of 7.2 percent in 2013 and 6 percent in the first half of 2014 despite the uncertain global environment and the impact of disasters. He noted that the country aims to grow by 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in 2014. “I am happy to note the positive economic news in Spain. I hope that the economic gains in both our countries would translate into increased bilateral trade and investments,” the President said.
On security cooperation, Coloma said the President noted the
milestone cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Spain to
fight transnational crime, which was initialed in Manila last March.
“With the security challenges that our countries face these days,
such a partnership proves crucial to our law enforcement agencies in
protecting our citizens from transnational threats,” Aquino said.
Coloma said the President welcomed the efforts to finalize an Air
Transport Agreement that could lead to direct flights between Manila and
Madrid soon.
The President also brought up with Rajoy the government’s “triple
action plan” (TAP) that calls for a cessation of provocative actions in
the disputed South China Sea as well as the resolution through
international arbitration.
“The President expressed to the Prime Minister the Philippines’
concern over the increasing pattern of aggressive Chinese behavior in
the region, such as the reclamation activities in Johnson Reef, McKennan
and Hughes Reef, Cuarteron Reef, and Gaven Reef, the continued presence
of Chinese vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone, and the continued
harassment of fishermen of Claimant States,” Coloma said.
In the same meeting, President Aquino also told Rajoy that the
Philippines is determined to eliminate illegal fishing and improve
maritime education schools in the hopes of persuading the European Union
against imposing a ban on fish imports and Filipino seafarers.
“The President affirmed to the European Council the Philippines’
commitment to eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing,”
Coloma said.
“He said, ‘We are now working toward legal and administrative reforms
to address the European Union’s concerns on the regulation of the
Philippines’ fishery sector,’” Coloma added.
The EU had earlier threatened that the Philippines may face an import ban if it does not curb illegal fishing.
After his meeting with Rajoy, the President had an audience with King
Felipe IV of Spain at the Palacio de la Zarduela. Among the topics
tackled were cultural, development, and economic cooperation with Spain.
This was the President’s last engagement in Spain before flying to Belgium at 11:40 a.m. Monday (5:40 p.m. Manila time).
The Philippines was once a Spanish colony with more than a 300-year
history dating back to the 16th century. Diplomatic ties between the
Philippines and Spain were formally established on September 27, 1947.
In 2013, Spain was the Philippines’ 27th trading partner, 30th export market and 25th import source out of 218 countries.
Bilateral trade between Spain and the Philippines reached US$469.82
million. Exports to Spain jumped by 40.44 percent from US$109.33 million
in 2012 to US$153.55 million in 2013.Among the Philippine export
products to Spain are tunas, coconut oil, seaweed, canned pineapple and
tobacco.
The Philippines is also considered a priority country in Asia in
terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA). As of 2013, total ODA of
Spain amounted US$63.298 million and eight grants amounting to US$23.17
million.
In Brussels, the President is scheduled to have an audience with King
Philippe on Monday regarding Belgium’s assistance with post-Haiyan
rehabilitation and Philippine-Belgium historical relations.
Separate meetings will be held with European Commission president
Jose Manuel Barroso, and European Council president Herman Von Rompuy on
Philippine-EU cooperation and bilateral relations.
At 6:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. Manila time), the President will address the
Filipino community in Belgium and Luxembourg at the Cathedral of St.
Michael and St. Gudula. There are an estimated 6,583 Filipinos in
Belgium and 436 Filipinos in Luxembourg, and 68 registered Filipino
community organizations.
