Legislative Observatory
European Parliament
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EU/Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement

2013/0441(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Philippines, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/272/EU, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Philippines, of the other part, was signed on 11 July 2012, subject to its conclusion. It supersedes the current legal framework of the 1980 Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, the Council is called upon to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Philippines, of the other part.

General principles and political dialogue: the PCA with the Philippines marks an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations and the EU’s role in South-East Asia, based on shared universal values such as democracy and human rights. It paves the way for enhanced political, regional and global cooperation.

Foreign policy: the PCA contains commitments which are central to the EU’s foreign policy, including provisions on:

  • human rights,
  • non-proliferation,
  • counter-terrorism,
  • the International Criminal Court.

It also includes areas of current interest such as the peace process and disaster risk management.

Sectoral cooperation: the PCA strengthens the sectoral cooperation across a wide range of policy fields, such as:

  • migration,
  • taxation,
  • environment,
  • energy,
  • science and technology,
  • maritime and air transport,
  • tourism,
  • culture,
  • money laundering and terrorist financing, illicit drugs, organised crime and corruption.

Economic and trade cooperation: the PCA considerably broadens the scope for mutual engagement in the economic and trade domain. It has an important trade cooperation section, which should facilitate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Additionally, the PCA has an important development component, including strict provisions on protecting the EU’s financial interests.

Institutional Framework: the draft Agreement also includes institutional provisions to put in place a joint committee composed of representatives of the two Parties with the aim of ensuring the correct application of the Agreement and resolving conflicts.