FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
ENRIQUE A. MANALO
SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
JAIME VICTOR B. LEDDA
AMBASSADOR
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Philippines and EU Embark on Third Round of Free Trade Agreement Negotiations in Brussels
The Philippines and EU delegations at the opening ceremony of the 3rd round of FTA negotiations in Brussels.
BRUSSELS 16 June 2025 – The Philippines and the European Union (EU) embarked on a fresh round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations today in Brussels, Belgium, aiming to give a significant boost to the already vibrant bilateral trade and investment relations between the two sides.
The Philippine team is led by Chief Negotiator Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), supported by experts from the inter-agency delegation including the DTI, the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor and the Employment, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Energy, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Competition Commission, the Government Procurement Policy Board and the Governance Commission for GOCCs, as well as other relevant attached agencies, bureaus and sub-units, such as the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the Bureau of Customs and the Professional Regulation Commission.
In the opening ceremony to jumpstart the days of talks, EU Chief Negotiator Dora Correia lauded the positive momentum generated by the earlier negotiation rounds and emphasized the significance of upholding a rules-based global trade order amidst complex geopolitical challenges. As he called to balance ambition with flexibility, Undersecretary Gepty also enjoined the parties to adopt a positive approach in the spirit of mutual understanding, highlighting the far-reaching benefits should a modern and balanced FTA come to fruition.
The EU is the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner and also a significant source of foreign direct investments. Over the past few years, the EU has been actively pursuing new FTAs and modernizing existing ones with a diverse array of partners, as it seeks to build more productive and resilient trade networks.
Earlier rounds were held in Brussels from 14 to 18 October 2024 and in Manila from 10 to 14 February 2025. In the ASEAN region, Singapore and Viet Nam have already concluded FTAs with the EU, while Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are in various stages of active negotiations.
Read more: Philippines and EU Embark on Third Round of Free Trade Agreement Negotiations in Brussels
EMBASSY HOLDS DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
Brussels, 12 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium hosted a diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at The Hotel.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda underscored the importance of the Philippines’ relationships with international partners towards shaping an atmosphere of peace, cooperation, and amity among nations. He emphasized that the Embassy’s partnerships with the governments of Belgium and Luxembourg, the European Union, other international organizations, the diplomatic corps, and other sectors have supported the Philippines’ advocacies, as well as its economic and development outcomes.
Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda delivers his remarks during the diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, 12 June 2025.
H.E. Birgit Stevens, Director-General for Bilateral Affairs of the Federal Public Service – Foreign Affairs of Belgium, and H.E. Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service (EEAS), congratulated Ambassador Ledda and the Filipino nation on the occasion and joined him for a toast. Mme. Stevens highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Belgium as well as the continuing engagement between the two countries through such efforts as the Philippines–Belgium Joint Plan of Action. Mr. Kvarnström likewise mentioned the EU’s collaboration with the Philippines on a range of activities and highlighted his visit to Manila the previous week as part of the delegation of High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas. He also expressed optimism on the conclusion of the Philippines–EU Free Trade Agreement.
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BRUSSELS JOINS THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING THE DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
12 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium held a flag raising ceremony with members of the Filipino community to commemorate the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda thanked the Filipino community for sharing with the world the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, cuisine and food, arts, and businesses. He also reflected on the theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan, and how we celebrate its meaning every day as overseas Filipinos.
The community also listened to the video remarks of H.E. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., H.E. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
After the program, the Filipino community shared a Filipino breakfast as they viewed the works of visiting artist Mr. Alberto “Badz” Magsumbol.
DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION HELD IN LUXEMBOURG IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
03 June 2025 — The Philippine Honorary Consulate in Luxembourg held a diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Hosted by Philippine Consul General a.h. for Luxembourg Alain Kinsch, the diplomatic reception was attended by Luxembourg government and city officials, the diplomatic corps, Filipino community leaders, officials of the private sector and dignitaries, including Mr. Marc Thewes, President of the State Council of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; Mrs. Véronique Dockendorf, Director for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr Bob Kieffer, Director of the Treasury, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Olivier Baldauff, Director of Protocol of the Luxembourg Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr Henri Grethen, former Minister of the Economy and of Transport and former member of the European Court of Auditors; and H.E. Mrs. Colette Flesch, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Mayor of the City of Luxembourg.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda noted the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Philippines–Luxembourg diplomatic relations in 2027 and looked forward to collaboration in a variety of fields such as trade, green finance, and space studies.
For his part, Consul General a.h. Kinsch highlighted the desire of both the Philippines and Luxembourg to enhance both countries’ bilateral cooperation and the regard given the Filipino community by Luxembourg citizens.
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