The European Union (EU) and the Philippines announced on Monday the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement, which was put on hold in 2017 due to strained relations following concerns over human rights abuses in the Southeast Asian country.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was in Manila for a two-day visit, said the negotiations would help accelerate a “new era of cooperation” between the EU and the Philippines.

“I’m very glad that we have decided to relaunch negotiations for a free trade agreement,” she said in a statement.

She said this after she met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“Our teams will get to work right now on setting the right conditions so that we can get back to the negotiations.

“A free trade agreement has huge potential for both of us in terms of growth and in terms of jobs,” she added.

Ms Von der Leyen is the first European Commission president to ever pay an official visit to the Philippines in almost six decades of diplomatic relations.

The ties between the EU and the Philippines were strained during the six-year term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, mainly due to his government’s war on drugs.

Due to the strained relationship, it left more than 6,000 suspects dead, many under questionable circumstances.

Mr Duterte often lashed out at the EU for criticising his anti-drug crackdown.

Mr Marcos Jr., who succeeded Mr Duterte in June 2022, said the visit was “a testament’’ to their joint desire to bring their bilateral relationship to greater heights.

“The Philippines and the EU are like-minded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights,” he said.

He added, “Let this be a new beginning for the strengthening and deepening all our ties with the EU and the Philippines.”

(dpa/NAN)