DTI chief Pascual: Talks about free trade deal with EU should start

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Tuesday that the Philippine government should already start negotiations on the free trade agreement with the European Union (EU).

At a Palace press briefing, Pascual was asked for updates on the free trade agreement and the Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) trade with the bloc.

Pascual said he would go to Belgium this month to get updates regarding the matter.

"I'll be going to Brussels towards the end of June to follow-up on the EU GSP+ and also potentially the free trade agreement with the EU," Pascual responded.

"Kailangan mag-umpisa na tayong mag-negotiate ng free trade agreement, so 'yun ang usapan... and we'll see. Mayroon tayong support from the businesses from Europe that are operating in the Philippines and some members of the parliament from EU," he added.

[We should start negotiating on our free trade agreement. We have support of businesses from Europe that are operating in the Philippines and some members of the parliament from EU.]

In March, Pascual said the Philippines is eyeing to return to the negotiating table for the possible free trade agreement with the European Union.

He also asked about the renewal of the country’s Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) trade agreement with the bloc members of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (EP DROI) during a meeting.

The EU GSP+ agreement grants the Philippines zero duties on 6,274 locally-made products, as long as the country meets the requirements regarding human and labor rights, the environment, and good governance.

Meanwhile, exploratory FTA talks between the Philippines and the EU began in 2013, while the launching of negotiations was announced in December 2015.

The first FTA negotiations were held in Brussels, Belgium in 2016, followed by second round negotiations in Cebu, Philippines in 2017. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News