The newly appointed Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano met with European Union (EU) Delegation ambassador in Manila.
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| via dfa.gov.ph |
Foreign Affairs Secretary Cayetano and Ambassador Franz Jessen of EU conducted a "frank, constructive and friendly discussions wherein they discussed bilateral issues, with the goal of strengthening PH-EU relations."
A luncheon was hosted to accommodate Ambassador Jessen and German Ambassador Gordon Kricke, Hungarian Ambassador Jozef Bencze, Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo and Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries right after the meeting ended. Also present in the meeting were other officials of European Union Delegation were Mr. Enrico Strampelli, Head of Development Cooperation and Mr. Walter Van Hattum, Head of the Trade Section.
Secretary Cayetano promised the EU representatives that they'll build "bridges with European Union and with European countries by maintaining open dialogue and enhancing cooperation." He also expressed gratitude towards the EU for giving their support in the Philippines.
Also, latest developments regarding the Philippines anti-illegal drugs campaign and the willingness of the government to cooperate in working with international community about the issue.
The secretary also elaborated how other countries lend a hand immediately to aid the Philippines in its campaign against illegal drugs. They built rehabilitation centers and also provided "training and equipment to our law enforcers." An agreement was also confirmed that the guests will "engage in succeeding dialogues to discuss and resolve specific issues."
Along with the new DFA Secretary were Deputy Speaker Pia S. Cayetano, DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad
Recently, the Philippine government created a new policy about foreign aids according to DFA Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Aids will be rejected if the conditions includes interference in the domestic policy on war on drugs and this new policy applies to all donor countries.
"We are just telling them very respectfully that we believe in our independence. We know our problems better than you," Cayetano stated when asked by the media reporters in an ambush interview. "You are welcome here. Let’s do business, but we will not accept aid if there are conditions or if you will interfere," he added.
Secretary Cayetano pointed out that the Philippines is open in receiving aid from other countries as long as there is no "strings attached" as a condition for the aid.
"If the aid will help us and if you will help us with our present problems and we could agree on a framework, that can be a different policy," he said.
Ending the European Union development assistance which is one of the biggest aid provided to country like for Mindanao strongly conveys that the country is "an independent nation with an independent foreign policy."
"We have good relations with the EU but it’s going through a rocky period or a roller-coaster ride. We are all in this ride together," the Secretary said.
International community have been expressing their negative sentiments about the war on drugs of the current administration. European Union, United Nations and the United States have been castigating President Rodrigo Duterte ever since he assumed his position on 30th of June 2016.
Despite their support against anti-narcotics, they state that due process and human rights must be maintained.
Source: DFA
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