The Philippines and EU have successfully finished the fourth round of negotiations for their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and immediately started discussions on market access for goods, services, and investments, including discussions on modalities for government procurement.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty, lead Philippine negotiator, said the two parties wrapped up their fourth round of FTA negotiations in Cebu from October 20-24. The EU negotiating team was led by EU Director for trade and economic security Dora Correia.
“It was a productive one. We made remarkable progress in the text based negotiations,” Gepty said.
Both parties covered the following chapters in the negotiations: Mutual Administrative Assistance on Customs Matters; Trade and Sustainable Development; Trade in Goods; Services and Investment; Digital Trade; Intellectual Property; Competition; Rules of Origin; Government Procurement; Technical Barriers to Trade; Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; State Owned Enterprises; Trade Remedies; Energy and Raw Materials; Dispute Settlement; Exceptions; Initial Provisions; and Institutional Provisions.
“We hope to stabilize the text within the year,” he said.
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Aside from completing the fourth round, Gepty said they have also started negotiations on market access for goods, services, and investments including discussions on modalities for government procurement.
“Our objective remains clear, that is, to promote not only trade and investments but also inclusivity, sustainability, good governance, and resilience as we advance our PH EU economic relations,” he said.
Initially paused in 2017, the PH-EU FTA talks resumed in October 2024.
