Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signing of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the other part
Date: 2010-09-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: ASEAN countries, Philippines, accession to an agreement, cooperation agreement, protocol to an agreement

EN 

EN 

   EN 

 
EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 6.9.2010 
COM(2010) 460 final 

2010/0241 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signing of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between 
the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the 
Philippines, of the other part 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
  
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

In  November  2004,  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission  to  negotiate  individual 
Framework  Agreements  on  Partnership  and  Cooperation  (PCA)  with  Thailand,  Indonesia, 
Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. Negotiations with the Philippines started in 
February  2009  and  were  concluded  in  June  2010.  Following  endorsement  by  Coreper,  both 
sides initialled the PCA on 25 June 2010.  

The PCA with the Philippines is the second of its kind in South East Asia, following the PCA 
with Indonesia, which was signed in November 2009. It is the first-ever bilateral agreement 
with  the  Philippines  and  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.  The  PCA  contains  legally  binding  commitments 
which  are  central  to  the  EU’s  foreign  policy,  including  provisions  on  human  rights,  non-
proliferation,  counter-terrorism,  the  International  Criminal  Court,  migration  and  taxation.  It 
also includes areas of current interest such as the peace process and disaster risk management. 

The PCA broadens considerably the scope for mutual engagement in the economic and trade 
domain as well as justice and home affairs. It provides opportunities for cooperation in areas 
such as the environment and climate change, energy, and science and technology, as well as 
maritime  and  air  transport.  The  Agreement  also  addresses  money  laundering  and  terrorist 
financing,  illicit  drugs,  organised  crime  and  corruption.  It  has  an  important  development 
component,  including,  for  the  first  time,  strict  provisions  for  the  protection  of  the  EU’s 
financial  interests.  The  PCA  also  has  an  important  trade  cooperation  section,  which  should 
facilitate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in accordance with EU policy to conclude 
FTAs with ASEAN countries.  

Politically, the PCA with the Philippines marks an important step towards strengthening the 
EU’s role in South-East Asia, based on shared universal values such as democracy and human 
rights. It paves the way for enhancing political, regional and global cooperation between two 
like-minded  partners.  The  implementation  of  the  PCA  will  entail  practical  benefits  for  both 
sides, forming a basis for the promotion of the EU’s broader political and economic interests. 
This is particularly important in a region that is traditionally oriented towards China and the 
United States.  

EN 

2 

   EN 

2010/0241 (NLE) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

of […] 

on the signing of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between 
the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the 
Philippines, of the other part 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Articles 207 and 209 in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

On  25  November  2004,  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission  to  negotiate  a 
Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation, hereinafter referred to as ‘the 
Agreement’, with the Republic of the Philippines.  

(2) 

Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Agreement should be signed. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  signing  of  the  Framework  Agreement  on  Partnership  and  Cooperation  between  the 
European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the Philippines, 
of the other part, is hereby approved on behalf of the Union, subject to the Council Decision 
concerning the conclusion of the said Agreement. 

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. 

The  High  Representative  for  Foreign  Affairs  and  Security  Policy/Vice-President  of  the 
Commission is hereby authorised to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.  

Article 2 

1 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 

EN 

3 

   EN 

                                                 
Article 3 

This Decision will enter into force the day after its adoption.  

Done at Brussels, […] 

For the Council 
The President 
[…] 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
 
 
ANNEX  

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION 
BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE ONE 
PART, AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, OF THE OTHER PART 

THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Union’ 

and 

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, 

THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, 

THE CZECH REPUBLIC, 

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, 

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, 

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA, 

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC, 

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN, 

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, 

IRELAND, 

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, 

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, 

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA, 

EN 

5 

   EN 

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBURG, 

THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, 

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA, 

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, 

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, 

ROMANIA, 

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC, 

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, 

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, 

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, 

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, 

Contracting Parties to the Treaty establishing the European Union, hereinafter referred to as 
the ‘Member States’, 

of the one part, and 

THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 

Hereinafter referred to as ‘the Philippines’ 

of the other part, 

Hereinafter jointly referred to as ‘the Parties’, 

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
CONSIDERING  the  traditional  links  of  friendship  between  the  Parties  and  the  close 
historical, political and economic ties which unite them, 

WHEREAS  the  Parties  attach  particular  importance  to  the  comprehensive  nature  of  their 
mutual relationship, 

WHEREAS  the  Parties  consider  that  this  Agreement  forms  part  of  a  wider  relationship 
between them and through, among others, agreements to which both sides are parties together, 

REAFFIRMING  the  attachment  of  the  Parties  to  the  respect  of  democratic  principles  and 
human rights as laid down in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights and 
other relevant international human rights instruments to which they are parties, 

REAFFIRMING their attachment to the principles of the rule of law and of good governance, 
and their desire to promote economic and social progress for their peoples, 

REAFFIRMING  their  desire  to  enhance  cooperation  on  international  stability,  justice  and 
security in order to promote sustainable social and economic development, the eradication of 
poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, 

WHEREAS the Parties view terrorism as a threat to global security and wish to intensify their 
dialogue and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, taking fully into account the 2006 UN 
Global  Counter-Terrorism  Strategy  and  relevant  UN  Security  Council 
instruments, 
particularly UNSC Resolutions 1373, 1267, 1822 and 1904,  

EXPRESSING  their  full  commitment  to  prevent  and  combat  all  forms  of  terrorism  and  to 
establishing effective international instruments to ensure its eradication, 

WHEREAS  the  Parties  reaffirm  that  effective  counter-terrorism  measures  and  protection  of 
human rights should be complementary and mutually reinforcing, 

RECOGNISING  the  need  to  strengthen  and  enhance  cooperation  in  combating  illegal  drug 
abuse  and  trafficking  activities  in  view  of  the  serious  threats  that  they  pose  to  international 
peace, security, stability and economic development, 

RECOGNISING that the most serious crimes of international concern relating to international 
humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity should not go unpunished and 
that prosecution of these crimes should be ensured in order to enhance international peace and 
justice, 

WHEREAS the Parties share the view that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 
and  their  means  of  delivery  pose  a  major  threat  to  international  security  and  wish  to 
strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in this area. The adoption by consensus of UNSC 
Resolution  1540  underlies  the  commitment  of  the  whole  international  community  to  fight 
against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,  

RECOGNISING  that  the  illicit  trade  in  small  arms  and  light  weapons,  including  their 
ammunition,  poor  management,  inadequately  secured  stockpiles  and  uncontrolled  spread 
continue  to  pose  a  serious  threat  to  international  peace,  security  and  development, 

RECOGNISING  the  importance  of  the  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European 
Economic Community and member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations 
of 7 March 1980 and subsequent accession protocols, 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
RECOGNISING the importance of strengthening the existing relationship between the Parties 
with a view  to enhancing cooperation between them, and their common will to consolidate, 
deepen and diversify their relations in areas of mutual interest on the basis of equality, non-
discrimination, respect for the natural environment and mutual benefit, 

RECOGNISING  the  importance  of  dialogue  and  cooperation  between  the  Association  of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union, 

EXPRESSING  their  full  commitment  to  promoting  sustainable  development,  including 
environmental protection and effective cooperation to combat climate change,  

UNDERLINING the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of justice and security,  

RECOGNISING  their  commitment  to  a  comprehensive  dialogue  and  cooperation  in 
promoting migration and development, as well as effective promotion and implementation of 
internationally recognised labour and social standards, 

NOTING that the provisions of the Agreement that fall within the scope of Part III, Title V of 
the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union bind the United Kingdom and Ireland as 
separate  Contracting  Parties,  or  alternatively,  as  part  of  the  European  Union,  in  accordance 
with the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of 
freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the 
Functioning  of  European  Union.  The  same  applies  to  Denmark,  in  accordance  with  the 
Protocol annexed to those Treaties on the position of Denmark, 

RECOGNIZING  the  importance  attached  by  the  Parties  to  the  principles  and  rules  which 
govern international trade as contained in particular in the Agreement establishing the World 
Trade  Organization  (WTO)  and  to  the  need  to  apply  them  in  a  transparent  and  non-
discriminatory manner, 

CONFIRMING  their  desire  to  enhance,  in  full  concord  with  activities  undertaken  in  a 
regional framework, the cooperation between the Parties based on shared values and mutual 
benefit, 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

Title I 

NATURE AND SCOPE 

Article 1 

General Principles 

1. 

2. 

Respect  for  democratic  principles  and  human  rights,  as  laid  down  in  the  Universal 
Declaration  of  Human  Rights,  and  other  relevant  international  human  rights 
instruments to which the Parties are Contracting Parties, and for the principle of the 
rule  of  law,  underpins  the  internal  and  international  policies  of  both  Parties  and 
constitutes an essential element of this Agreement. 

The  Parties  confirm  their  shared  values  as  expressed  in  the  Charter  of  the  United 
Nations. 

EN 

8 

   EN 

3. 

4. 

5. 

The  Parties  confirm  their  commitment  to  promoting  sustainable  development, 
cooperating  to  address  the  challenges  of  climate  change  and  to  contributing  to  the 
internationally  agreed  development  goals, 
the 
Millennium Development Goals. 

those  contained 

including 

in 

The Parties reaffirm their attachment to the principle of good governance. 

The Parties agree that cooperation under this agreement will be in accordance with 
their respective domestic laws, rules and regulations. 

Article 2 

Aims of Cooperation 

With  a  view  to  strengthening  their  bilateral  relationship,  the  Parties  undertake  to  hold  a 
comprehensive  dialogue  and  promote  further  cooperation  between  them  on  all  sectors  of 
mutual interest as provided under this agreement. Their efforts will in particular be aimed at: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

establishing  cooperation  on  political,  social,  and  economic  matters  in  all  relevant 
regional and international fora and organisations; 

establishing cooperation on combating terrorism and transnational crimes; 

establishing  cooperation  on  human  rights  and  dialogue  on  the  fight  against  serious 
crimes of international concern; 

establishing  cooperation  on  countering  the  proliferation  of  weapons  of  mass 
destruction,  small  arms  and  light  weapons  as  well  as  promoting  peace  process  and 
conflict prevention; 

establishing cooperation in all trade and investment areas of mutual interest, in order 
to  facilitate  trade  and  investment  flows  and  to  remove  obstacles  to  trade  and 
investment,  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  principles  of  WTO  and  ongoing  and 
future regional EU-ASEAN initiatives; 

establishing  cooperation  in  the  area  of  justice  and  security,  including  legal 
cooperation;  illicit  drugs;  money  laundering;  combating  organised  crime  and 
corruption; data protection and refugees and internally displaced persons; 

establishing cooperation in the areas of migration and maritime labour; 

establishing cooperation in all other sectors of mutual interest, notably employment 
and  social  affairs;  development  cooperation;  economic  policy;  financial  services; 
good  governance  in  the  tax  area;  industrial  policy  and  SMEs;  information  and 
communication  technology  (ICT);  audiovisual,  media  and  multimedia;  science  and 
technology;  transport;  tourism;  education,  culture,  intercultural  and  interfaith 
dialogue;  energy;  environment  and  natural  resources  including  climate  change; 
agriculture, fisheries and rural development; regional development; health; statistics; 
disaster risk management (DRM); and public administration; 

EN 

9 

   EN 

 
i) 

j) 

k) 

enhancing  both  Parties'  participation  in  sub-regional  and  regional  cooperation 
programmes open to the participation of the other Party; 

raising the roles and profiles of the Philippines and of the European Union; 

promoting  people-to-people  understanding  and  effective  dialogue  and  interaction 
with organized civil society. 

Article 3 

Cooperation in Regional and International Organisations 

The Parties will continue to exchange views and cooperate in regional and international fora 
and  organisations  such  as  the  United  Nations  and  relevant  United  Nations  agencies  and 
bodies, such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the 
ASEAN-EU  dialogue,  ASEAN  Regional  Forum  (ARF),  the  Asia-Europe  Meeting  (ASEM), 
the  WTO,  the  International  Organization  for  Migration  (IOM)  and  the  World  Intellectual 
Property Organization (WIPO). 

Article 4 

Regional and Bilateral Cooperation 

For each sector of dialogue and cooperation under this Agreement, and while giving emphasis 
to  matters  under  EU-Philippine  cooperation,  both  sides  may  also,  upon  mutual  agreement, 
work  together  through  activities  at  regional  level  or  through  a  combination  of  both 
frameworks,  taking  into  account  the  regional  decision-making  processes  of  the  regional 
grouping  concerned.  In  this  regard,  in  choosing  the  appropriate  framework,  the  Parties  will 
seek to maximise the impact on and reinforce the involvement of all interested parties, while 
making  the  most  efficient  use  of  available  resources,  and  ensuring  coherence  of  other 
activities. 

Title II 
POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION 

Article 5 
Peace Process and Conflict Prevention 

The Parties agree to continue collaborative efforts aimed at promoting prevention of conflict 
and  a  culture  of  peace,  among  others,  through  peace  advocacy  and  peace  education 
programmes. 

Article 6 
Cooperation in Human Rights 

1. 

The Parties agree to cooperate in the promotion and effective protection of all human 
rights  including  through  international  human  rights  instruments  to  which  they  are 
parties. 

EN 

10 

   EN 

2. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

– 

Such  cooperation  will  be  through  activities  as  mutually  agreed  upon  by  the  Parties 
including, inter alia, the following: 

supporting  the  development  and  implementation  of  national  action  plans  on  human 
rights; 

promoting human rights awareness and education; 

strengthening of national human rights-related institutions;  

as far as possible, helping promote regional human rights-related institutions;  

establishing a meaningful human rights dialogue between the Parties; and 

cooperating within the human rights-related institutions of the United Nations. 

Article 7 

Serious Crimes of International Concern 

The Parties recognise that the most serious crimes of international concern relating to 
international  humanitarian  law,  genocide  and  other  crimes  against  humanity  should 
not go unpunished and that prosecution of these crimes should be ensured by taking 
measures  at  either  the  national  or  international  levels,  as  appropriate,  including 
through the International Criminal Court, in accordance with the Parties' respective 
domestic laws. 

The Parties agree to conduct a beneficial dialogue on the universal adherence to the 
Rome  Statute  in  accordance  with  their  respective  laws,  including  provision  of 
assistance for capacity building.  

Article 8 
Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction  

and their Means of Delivery 

The Parties consider that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their 
means  of  delivery,  to  and  by  state  and  non-state  actors,  constitutes  one  of  the  most 
serious threats to international stability and security. 

The  Parties  therefore  agree  to  cooperate  and  to  contribute  to  countering  the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery through full 
compliance  with  and  national  implementation  of  their  existing  obligations  under 
international  disarmament  and  non-proliferation  treaties  and  agreements  and  other 
relevant international obligations such as UN Security Council Resolution 1540. The 
Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of the Agreement. 

The Parties furthermore agree to: 

take  the  appropriate  steps  towards  signing  and  in  full  respect  of  the  Parties' 
ratification  procedures  endeavouring  to  ratify,  or  accede  to,  as  appropriate,  and  to 
implement  the  Parties'  respective  obligations  that  will  arise  from  other  relevant 
international instruments, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions; 

EN 

11 

   EN 

– 

establish an  effective  system of national export controls, controlling the export and 
transit  of  WMD-related  goods,  including  a  WMD  end-use  control  on  dual  use 
technologies and containing effective sanctions for breaches of export controls. 

The Parties recognise that implementation of export controls should not hamper international 
cooperation  in  materials,  equipment  and  technology  for  peaceful  purposes,  while  goals  of 
peaceful utilisation should not be used as a cover for proliferation. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

The  Parties  agree  to  establish  a  regular  political  dialogue  that  will  accompany  and 
consolidate these elements. The Parties could also work towards having the dialogue 
at a regional level. 

Article 9 
Small Arms and Light Weapons 

The Parties recognise that the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons including 
their ammunition, and their excessive accumulation, poor management, inadequately 
secured stockpiles and uncontrolled spread continue to pose a serious threat to peace 
and international security. 

The Parties agree to observe and fully implement their respective obligations to deal 
with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, under existing 
international  agreements  and  UN  Security  Council  Resolutions,  as  well  as  their 
commitments  within  the  framework  of  other  international instruments applicable in 
this area, such as the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the 
illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects. 

The  Parties  undertake  to  establish  a  regular  political  dialogue  in  order  to  exchange 
views  and  information  and  develop  a  common  understanding  of  the  issues  and 
problems related to illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and to strengthen the 
ability of the Parties to prevent, combat and eradicate such trade. 

Article 10 
Cooperation in Combating Terrorism 

The  Parties  reaffirm  the  importance  of  preventing  and  countering  terrorism  in 
accordance with their respective legislation and regulations, and with respect for the 
rule of law, international law, in particular the UN Charter and relevant UN Security 
Council  Resolutions,  human  rights  law,  refugee  law  and  international  humanitarian 
law and international conventions to which they are parties, the UN Global Counter-
Terrorism  Strategy,  contained  in  UN  General  Assembly  Resolution  60/28  of  8 
September 2006 as well as the Joint EU-ASEAN Declaration of 28 January 2003 on 
cooperation to combat terrorism.  

Toward this end, the Parties agree to cooperate as follows: 

by promoting the implementation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, such 
as  1373,  1267,  1822  and  1904,  and  of  relevant  international  conventions  and 
instruments; 

by  promoting  cooperation  among  UN  Member  States  to  effectively  implement  the 
UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; 

EN 

12 

   EN 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

by  exchanging  information  and  strengthening  law  enforcement  cooperation  and 
coordination  using  the  existing  Interpol  National  Central  Bureaus  (NCBs)  through 
the Interpol Global Communication System or I-24/7; 

by  exchanging  information  on  terrorist  groups  and  their  support  networks  in 
accordance with international and national law; 

by exchanging views on means and methods used to counter terrorism, including in 
technical fields and training, and by sharing experiences in terrorism prevention and 
deradicalisation; 

by  cooperating  so  as  to  deepen  the  international  consensus  on  the  fight  against 
terrorism and terrorist financing and by working towards an early agreement on the 
Comprehensive  Convention  on  International  Terrorism  so  as  to  complement  the 
existing UN counter-terrorism instruments;  

by  exchanging  best  practices  in  the  area  of  protection  of  human  rights  in  the  fight 
against terrorism;  

by promoting implementation and enhanced cooperation on counter-terrorism within 
the ASEM and EU-ASEAN context. 

Article 11 
Cooperation on Public Administration 

The  Parties  agree  to  cooperate  with  a  view  to  enhancing  capacity  building  in  the  field  of 
public  administration.  Cooperation  in  this  area  may  include  exchange  of  views  on  best 
practices  on  management  methods,  service  delivery,  reinforcing  institutional  capacity  and 
transparency issues. 

Title III 

TRADE AND INVESTMENT  

Article 12 
General Principles 

1. 

2. 

The Parties shall engage in a dialogue on bilateral and multilateral trade and trade-
related issues with a view to strengthening bilateral trade relations and advancing the 
role of the multilateral trade system in promoting growth and development. 

The  Parties  undertake  to  promote  the  development  and  diversification  of  their 
reciprocal  commercial  exchanges  to  the  highest  possible  level  and  to  their  mutual 
benefit.  They  undertake  to  achieve  improved  market  access  conditions  by  working 
towards  removing  obstacles  to  trade,  in  particular  non-tariff  barriers,  and  by  taking 
measures  to  improve  transparency,  having  regard  to  the  work  carried  out  by 
international organisations in this field. 

3. 

Recognising  that  trade  plays  an  indispensable  role  in  development,  and  that 
assistance  in  the  form  of  trade  preferences  schemes  assisted  in  the  development  of 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

recipient developing countries, the Parties endeavour to strengthen their consultation 
on such assistance in full compliance with the WTO. 

The Parties shall keep each other informed concerning the development of trade and 
trade-related  policies  such  as  in  agriculture,  food  safety,  consumer  protection,  and 
environment, including waste management. 

The  Parties  shall  encourage  dialogue  and  cooperation  to  develop  their  trade  and 
investment  relations  and  including  working  towards  the  solution  of  commercial 
problems, and addressing other trade-related concerns, in the areas referred to under 
Articles 13 to 19. 

Article 13 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues 

The Parties shall cooperate on food safety and on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) 
issues to protect human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of the Parties. 

The  Parties  shall  discuss  and  exchange  information  on  their  respective  measures  as 
defined in the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS), the 
International  Plant  Protection  Convention  (IPPC),  the  World  Organization  for 
Animal  Health  (OIE)  and  the  Codex  Alimentarius  Commission  (Codex),  such  as 
legislation,  rules  and  regulations,  certification, 
inspection,  and  surveillance 
procedures, including the procedures to approve establishments and implementation 
of zoning principles. 

The  Parties  agree  to  undertake  capacity  building  cooperation  on  SPS  issues  and, 
where it is requested, on animal welfare. 

The  Parties  shall  establish  a  timely  dialogue  on  SPS  issues  upon  request  by  either 
Party  to  consider  matters  relating  to  SPS  and  other  urgent  related  issues  under  this 
Article. 

The  Parties  shall  designate  contact  points  for  communication  on  matters  under  this 
Article. 

Article 14 
Technical Barriers to Trade  

The Parties agree that cooperation on standards, technical regulations and conformity 
assessments is a key objective for the development of trade. 

The  Parties  shall  promote  the  use  of  international  standards  and  cooperate  and 
exchange information on standards, conformity assessment procedures and technical 
regulations,  especially  within  the  framework  of  the  WTO  Agreement  on  Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT). To this end, the Parties agree to establish a timely dialogue 
on  TBT  issues  upon  the  request  of  either  Party  and  designate  contact  points  for 
communication on matters under this Article. 

3. 

Cooperation  on  TBT  may  be  undertaken,  inter  alia,  through  dialogue,  joint  projects, 
technical assistance and capacity-building programs. 

EN 

14 

   EN 

Article 15 
Customs and Trade Facilitation 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The Parties shall share experiences and examine possibilities for simplifying import, 
export  and  other  customs  procedures,  ensure  transparency  of  customs  and  trade 
regulations,  develop  customs  cooperation  and  effective  mutual  administrative 
assistance  mechanisms,  and  also  seek  convergence  of  views  and  joint  action  in  the 
context  of  relevant  international  initiatives  including  trade  facilitation.  The  Parties 
will  pay  special  attention  to  increasing  the  security  and  safety  dimension  of 
international  trade,  to  ensuring  an  effective  and  efficient  customs  enforcement  of 
intellectual  property  rights,  and  to  ensuring  a  balanced  approach  between  trade 
facilitation, and the fight against fraud and irregularities. 

Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation, provided for under this Agreement, 
the Parties state their interest in considering the conclusion of protocols on customs 
cooperation, and on mutual assistance, within the institutional framework laid down 
in this Agreement. 

The  Parties  shall  continue  to  mobilise  technical  assistance  resources  to  support  the 
implementation of cooperation on customs matters and of trade facilitation under this 
Agreement, as mutually agreed. 

Article 16 
Investment  

The Parties shall encourage a greater flow of investment by promoting an attractive and stable 
reciprocal investment climate through a consistent dialogue aimed at stable, transparent, open 
and non-discriminatory rules for investors, exploring administrative mechanisms to facilitate 
laws  and  regulations. 
investment  flows, 

the  Parties'  domestic 

in  accordance  with 

1. 

2. 

1. 

Article 17 
Competition Policy 

The  Parties  shall  promote  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  competition  rules 
and authorities to implement them. They shall promote the application of these rules 
in  an  effective,  non-discriminatory  and  transparent  way  in  order  to  foster  legal 
certainty in their respective territories.  

To  this  end,  the  Parties  will  engage  in  capacity  building  activities  in  the  area  of 
competition policy subject to the availability of funding for such activities under the 
Parties' cooperation instruments and programmes. 

Article 18 
Services 

The Parties agree on a consistent dialogue notably aimed at exchanging information 
on  their  respective  regulatory  environments,  promoting  access  to  each  other’s 
markets,  including  e-commerce,  promoting  access  to  sources  of  capital  and 
technology,  and  promoting  trade  in  services  between  the  Parties  and  in  third 
countries’ markets. 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

Acknowledging  the  competitiveness  of  their  respective  services  sector,  the  Parties 
shall  undertake  discussions  on  exploiting  opportunities  in  trade  in  services  of  each 
others' markets. 

Article 19 
Intellectual Property Rights 

The Parties reaffirm the great importance they attach to the protection of intellectual 
property (IP) rights and undertake to establish appropriate measures with a view to 
ensuring  the  adequate  and  effective  protection  and  enforcement  of  intellectual 
property  rights  while  ensuring  that  such  measures  are  in  accordance  with  the  best 
practices and international standards to which the Parties are committed. 

The  Parties  shall  assist  each  other  in  identifying  and  implementing  IP-related 
programs that will contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the 
voluntary  technology  transfer  and  human  resource  training  and  cooperate  in  the 
implementation  of  the  Development  Agenda  in  the  World  Intellectual  Property 
Organization (WIPO). 

The Parties agree to enhance cooperation on Geographical Indications, including on 
their  protection,  and  in  the  area  of  protection  of  plant  varieties,  bearing  in  mind 
among  others,  and  where  appropriate,  the  role  of  the  International  Union  for  the 
Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). 

The  Parties  shall  exchange  information  and  experience  on  intellectual  property 
practices, the prevention of infringements of IP rights - in particular the fight against 
counterfeiting  and  piracy  -  namely  through  customs  cooperation  and  other 
appropriate  forms  of  cooperation,  and  the  establishment  and  strengthening  of 
organizations for control and protection of such rights.  

Title IV 

JUSTICE AND SECURITY COOPERATION 

Article 20 
Legal Cooperation 

The Parties recognise the particular importance of rule of law and the reinforcement 
of all relevant institutions. 

Cooperation  between  the  Parties  may  also  include  mutual  exchange  of  information 
concerning best practices on legal systems and legislation. 

Article 21 
Cooperation in Combating Illicit Drugs 

The  Parties  shall  cooperate  to  ensure  a  balanced  approach  through  effective 
coordination  between  the  competent  authorities  including  from  the  lead  drug 
enforcement  agency,  health,  justice,  education,  youth,  social  welfare,  customs  and 
interior sectors, and other relevant sectors and other affected stakeholders, with the 
aim of reducing the supply of and demand for illicit drugs, as well as their impact on 

EN 

16 

   EN 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

drug users and their families and the society at large, and to achieve more effective 
precursors control.  

The  Parties  shall  agree  on  the  means  of  cooperation  to  attain  these  objectives. 
Actions shall be based on commonly agreed principles along the lines of the relevant 
international conventions to which they are Parties, the Political Declaration and the 
Special Declaration on the guiding principles of drug demand reduction, adopted by 
the  20th  UN  General  Assembly  Special  Session  on  Drugs  in  June  1998  and  the 
Political  Declaration  and  Plan  of  Action  adopted  at  the  High  Level  Segment  of  the 
52nd session of the UN Commission Narcotic Drugs in March 2009. 

The  cooperation  between  the  Parties  shall  comprise  technical  and  administrative 
assistance  in  particular  in  the  following  areas:  drafting  of  national  legislation  and 
policies;  establishment  of  national  institutions  and  information  centres;  support  for 
civil  society  efforts  in  the  area  of  drugs  and  efforts  to  reduce  demand  for,  and  the 
harm  from  drugs;  training  of  personnel;  strengthening  of  enforcement  and 
information exchange in accordance with domestic legislation; drug-related research; 
drug  profiling  and  prevention  of  manufacturing  of  dangerous/narcotic  drugs  and 
diversion of controlled precursors in particular substances that are essential for illicit 
areas. 
drug  manufacture.  The  Parties  may 

include  other 

agree 

to 

Article 22 
Cooperation in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing 

The Parties agree on the need to work towards and to cooperate on the prevention of 
the  laundering  of  proceeds  from  criminal  activities  such  as  drug  trafficking  and 
corruption. 

Both Parties agree to promote legal, technical and administrative assistance aimed at 
the development and implementation of regulations and the efficient functioning of 
mechanisms  to  combat  money  laundering  and  terrorism  financing.  In  particular, 
cooperation shall allow exchanges of relevant information within the framework of 
respective  legislations  and  the  adoption  of  appropriate  standards  to  combat  money 
laundering and the financing of terrorism equivalent to those adopted by the Union 
and  the  international  bodies  active  in  this  area,  such  as  the  Financial  Action  Task 
Force (FATF). 

Both  Parties  shall  promote  cooperation  in  combating  money  laundering  and  the 
financing  of  terrorism,  e.g.  through  the  conduct  of  capacity  building  projects.  

Article 23 
Combating Organised Crime and Corruption 

The  Parties  agree  to  cooperate  in  combating  organised  crime  and  corruption  as 
defined  in  the  UN  Convention  against  Transnational  Organized  Crime  and  its 
supplementing  Protocols  and  the  UN  Convention  against  Corruption.  Such 
cooperation aims to promote and implement these conventions and other applicable 
instruments to which they are party.  

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
 
2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

Subject  to  available  resources  this  cooperation  shall  include  capacity  building 
measures and projects.  

The  Parties  agree  to  cooperate  among  law  enforcement  authorities,  agencies  and 
services  and  to  contribute  to  disrupting  and  dismantling  transnational  crime  threats 
common  to  the  Parties  within  the  framework  of  their  respective  legislations.  The 
cooperation among law enforcement authorities, agencies and services may take the 
form  of  mutual  assistance  in  investigations,  sharing  of  investigational  technique, 
joint education and training of law enforcement personnel and any other type of joint 
activities and assistance, including the existing INTERPOL National Central Bureaus 
(NCBs)  through  the  INTERPOL  Global  Communication  System  or  I-24/7  or  a 
similar system for information exchange, as may be mutually agreed by the Parties. 

Article 24 
Protection of Personal Data 

The Parties agree to cooperate, in order to improve the level of protection of personal 
data to the highest international standards, such as those contained, inter alia, in the 
UN Guidelines for the Regulation of Computerized Personal Data Files (UN General 
Assembly Resolution 45/95 of 14 December 1990). 

Strengthening data  protection by intensifying cooperation on  protection of personal 
data  may  include,  inter  alia,  technical  assistance  in  the  form  of  exchange  of 
information and expertise which may include, but not limited to the following:  

sharing and exchange of information, surveys, research, policies, procedures and best 
practices related to data protection;  

conduct and/or attendance to joint trainings and educational programs, dialogues and 
conferences that will enhance awareness on data protection of both Parties;  

c) 

exchange of professionals and experts that will study data protection policies. 

Article 25 
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 

The Parties endeavour to continue cooperating, where appropriate, on  issues concerning the 
well-being  of  refugees  and  internally  displaced  persons,  taking  account  of  the  work  and 
assistance already provided, including the search for lasting solutions. 

COOPERATION ON MIGRATION AND MARITIME LABOUR 

Title V 

Article 26 
Cooperation on Migration and Development 

The  Parties  reaffirm  the  importance  of  joint  management  of  migratory  flows  between  their 
territories. With a view to strengthening cooperation, the Parties shall establish a mechanism 
for  comprehensive  dialogue  and  consultation  on  all  migration-related  issues.  Migration 
concerns  shall  be  included  in  the  national  strategies  /  national  development  framework  for 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
economic and social development of countries of origin, transit and destination of migrants. 

Cooperation between the Parties shall be based on a specific needs-assessment conducted in 
mutual  consultation  and  agreement  between  the  Parties  and  be  implemented  in  accordance 
with the relevant Union and national legislation in force. It will, in particular, focus on: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

3. 

a) 

the push-pull factors of migration; 

the development and implementation of national legislation and practices with regard 
to  protection  and  rights  of  migrants,  with  a  view  to  satisfying  the  provisions  of 
applicable international instruments that guarantee respect for the rights of migrants;  

the  development  and  implementation  of  national  legislation  and  practices  with 
regard to international protection, with a view to satisfying the provisions of the 1951 
Geneva  Convention  on  the  Status  of  Refugees  and  its  Protocol  of  1967  and  other 
relevant  international  instruments,  and  to  ensure  respect  for  the  principle  of  “non-
refoulement”; 

admission rules, as well as the rights and status of persons admitted, the provision of 
fair  treatment  and  avenues  for  integration  of  lawfully  residing  non-  nationals, 
education and training and measures against racism, discrimination, and xenophobia; 

the  establishment  of  an  effective  and  preventive  policy  to  address  the  presence  on 
their territory of a national of the other Party who does not fulfil, or no longer fulfils, 
the  conditions  of  entry,  stay  or  residence  in  the  territory  of  the  Party  concerned, 
smuggling  of  persons,  and  trafficking  in  human  beings,  including  ways  to  combat 
networks of smugglers of persons and traffickers and to protect the victims of such 
activities; 

the return of persons as defined under paragraph 2 lit. e), under humane and dignified 
conditions,  including  the  promotion  of  their  voluntary  and  sustainable  return  to  the 
countries  of  origin,  and  the  admission/readmission  of  such  persons  in  accordance 
with  paragraph  3  hereof.  The  return  shall  be  with  due  regard  to  the  Parties’  right  to 
grant residence permits or authorizations to stay for compassionate and humanitarian 
reasons and the principle of non-refoulement; 

issues identified as being of mutual interest in the field of visas and security of travel 
documents, as well as border management; 

migration  and  development  issues  including  human  resources  development,  social 
protection,  maximizing  benefits  from  migration,  gender  and  development,  ethical 
recruitment and circular migration, and integration of migrants; 

Within the framework of cooperation in this area and without prejudice to the need 
for protection of victims of human trafficking, the Parties further agree that: 

The Philippines shall admit back any of its nationals as defined under paragraph 2 lit. 
e)  present  in  the  territory  of  a  Member  State  upon  request  by  the  latter,  without 
undue  delay  once  nationality  has  been  established  and  due  process  in  the  Member 
State carried out. 

EN 

19 

   EN 

b) 

c) 

Each Member State shall readmit any of its nationals as defined under paragraph 2 
lit.  e)  present  in  the  territory  of  the  Philippines  upon  request  by  the  latter,  without 
undue delay once nationality has been established and due process in the Philippines 
carried out. 

The  Member  States  and  the  Philippines  will  provide  their  nationals  with  required 
documents  for  such  purposes.  Any  request  for  admission  or  readmission  shall  be 
transmitted by the requesting state to the competent authority of the requested state. 

Where  the  person  concerned  does  not  possess  any  appropriate  identity  documents  or  other 
proofs of his/her nationality, the competent diplomatic  or consular representation concerned 
shall  be  immediately  requested  by  the  Philippines  or  Member  State  to  ascertain  his/her 
nationality if needed by means of an interview; and once ascertained to be a national of the 
Philippines  or  Member  State,  appropriate  documents  shall  be  issued  by  the  competent 
Philippine or Member State authorities. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

The  Parties  agree  to  conclude  as  soon  as  possible,  an  agreement  for  the 
admission/readmission of their nationals, including a provision on the readmission of 
nationals of other countries and stateless persons. 

Article 27 

Maritime Labour, Education and Training 

The Parties agree to cooperate in the field of maritime labour to promote and uphold 
decent living and working conditions for seafarers, the seafarers’ personal safety and 
protection, occupational safety and health policies and programs.  

The  Parties  furthermore  agree  to  cooperate  in  the  field  of  maritime  education, 
training  and  certification of seafarers in order  to  ensure  safe and efficient maritime 
operations and prevention of damage to the environment; including upgrading crew 
competences  to  adapt  to  the  changing  requirements  of  the  shipping  industry  and 
technological progress. 

The Parties shall respect and observe the principles and provisions stipulated in the 
1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea particularly referring to the 
duties  and  obligations  of  each  Party  with  regard  to  labour  conditions,  crewing  and 
social matters on ships that fly its flag; the International Convention on Standards of 
Training,  Certification  and  Watchkeeping  for  Seafarers  (STCW  Convention),  as 
amended,  with  regard  to  seafarer  training  and  competency  requirements;  and 
principles  and  provisions  provided  in  relevant  international  instruments  to  which 
they are parties.  

Cooperation in this area shall be based on mutual consultation and dialogue between 
the Parties, with a focus, inter alia, on: 

maritime education and training; 

information sharing and support on maritime related activities; 

applied learning methods and best practices on training;  

EN 

20 

   EN 

d) 

e) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

programs to address piracy and terrorism at sea;  

seafarers’ right to a safe and secure workplace; decent working and living conditions 
on board ship; and health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms 
of social protection.  

Title VI 

ECONOMIC, DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, 
AND OTHER SECTORS 

Article 28 
Employment and Social Affairs 

The  Parties  agree  to  enhance  cooperation  in  the  field  of  employment  and  social 
affairs,  including  cooperation  on  regional  and  social  cohesion,  with  reference  to 
Article 26 paragraph 2 lit. b), health and safety at the workplace, skills development, 
gender equality and decent work, with a view to strengthening the social dimension 
of globalisation.  

The  Parties  reaffirm  the  need  to  support  the  process  of  globalisation  which  is 
beneficial to all and to promote full and productive employment and decent work as a 
key  element  of  sustainable  development  and  poverty  reduction,  as  endorsed  by  UN 
General  Assembly  Resolution  60/1  of  24  October  2005  (World  Summit  Outcome) 
and the Ministerial Declaration of the high-level segment of the UN Economic and 
Social Council of July 2006 (UN Economic and Social Council E/2006/L.8 of 5 July 
2006). The Parties shall take into account the respective characteristics and diverse 
nature of their economic and social situations. 

Reaffirming  their  commitments  to  respect,  promote  and  realise  internationally 
recognised  labour  and  social  standards,  as  referred  to  in  particular  in  the  ILO 
Declaration on Fundamental Rights and Principles at Works and the ILO conventions 
to which they are party, the Parties agree to cooperate on specific technical assistance 
programs and  projects, as mutually agreed. The Parties likewise agree to undertake 
dialogue,  cooperation  and  initiatives  on  topics  of  common  interest  at  bilateral  or 
multilateral level, such as the United Nations, IOM, ILO, ASEM and EU-ASEAN. 

Article 29 
Development Cooperation  

The  primary  goal  of  development  cooperation  is  to  encourage  sustainable 
development that will contribute to the reduction of poverty and to the attainment of 
internationally  agreed  development  goals  including  the  Millennium  Development 
Goals.  The  Parties  shall  engage  in  regular  dialogue  on  development  cooperation  in 
line with their respective priorities and areas of mutual interest. 

The development cooperation dialogue shall aim at, inter alia: 

promoting human and social development; 

pursuing sustained inclusive economic growth; 

EN 

21 

   EN 

 
c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

promoting environmental sustainability and sound management of natural resources 
including promotion of best practices; 

reducing the impact and managing the consequences of climate change; 

enhancing  capacity  to  implement  deeper  integration  into  the  world  economy  and 
international trading system; 

promoting public sector reform particularly in the area of public finance management 
to improve the delivery of social services; 

establishing  processes  adhering  to  the  principles  of  the Paris  Declaration  on  Aid 
Effectiveness,  the  Accra Agenda  for  Action,  and  other  international  commitments 
aimed at improving the delivery and effectiveness of aid. 

Article 30 
Economic Policy Dialogue 

The Parties agree to cooperate on promoting the exchange of information on their respective 
economic  trends  and  policies,  and  the  sharing  of  experiences  in  coordination  of  economic 
policies in the context of regional economic cooperation and integration. 

The Parties endeavour to deepen the dialogue between their authorities on economic matters 
which,  as  agreed  by  the  Parties,  may  include  areas  such  as  monetary  policy,  fiscal  policy, 
including  business  taxation,  public  finance,  and  macroeconomic  stabilisation  and  external 
debt. 

Article 31 

Civil Society 

The  Parties  recognise  the  role  and  potential  contribution  of  organised  civil  society  in 
democratic  governance  and  agree  to  promote  effective  dialogue  and  interaction  with  civil 
society, in accordance with the applicable domestic laws of the respective Parties. 

Article 32 

Disaster Risk Management  

The  Parties  agree  to  increase  cooperation  on  Disaster  Risk  Management  (DRM)  in  the 
continuous development and implementation of measures to reduce the risk to communities 
and  manage  the  consequences  of  natural  disasters  across  all  levels  of  society.  Preventive 
actions  and  proactive  approach  in  dealing  with  hazards  and  risks  with  reducing  risks  or 
vulnerabilities to natural disasters should be given emphasis. 

The  Parties  shall  work  together  to  make  DRM  an  integral  part  of  development  plans  and 
policy-making processes relative to natural disaster events. 

Cooperation in this area shall focus on the following program elements: 

a) 

b) 

EN 

disaster risk reduction or prevention and mitigation; 

knowledge  management,  innovation,  research,  and  education  to  build  a  culture  of 
safety and resilience at all levels; 

22 

   EN 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

1. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

2. 

disaster preparedness; 

policy, institutional capacity and consensus building for disaster management; 

disaster response; 

disaster risks assessment and monitoring; 

post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation planning; 

climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

Article 33 
Energy 

The Parties shall endeavour to enhance cooperation in the energy sector with a view 
to: 

creating favourable conditions for investment, notably in infrastructures and a level 
playing field for renewable energy; 

diversifying  energy  supplies  to  enhance  energy  security  including  developing  new, 
sustainable,  innovative  and  renewable  forms  of  energy,  and  supporting  the 
institutionalization  of  appropriate  policy  frameworks  to  create  a  level  playing  field 
for renewable energy and its integration into relevant policy areas;  

developing converging energy standards especially for biofuels and other alternative 
fuels, related facilities and practices; 

achieving rational use of energy by promoting energy efficiency and conservation in 
energy production, transportation, distribution and end-use; 

fostering  the  transfer  of  technology  between  the  Parties’  enterprises  aimed  at 
sustainable  energy  production  and  use.  This  could  be  done  through  appropriate 
cooperation  especially  in  the  areas  of  power  sector  reforms,  energy  resources 
development, downstream facilities and biofuels development; 

enhancing  capacity-building  in  all  fields  covered  by  the  Article  and  promoting 
favourable and attractive reciprocal investments through a consistent dialogue aimed 
at  stable,  transparent,  open  and  non-discriminatory  rules  for  investors,  exploring 
administrative  mechanisms  to  facilitate  investment  flows,  in  accordance  with  the 
Parties’ domestic laws and regulations. 

To these ends, the Parties agree to promote contacts and joint research for the mutual 
benefit  of  the  Parties,  particularly  through  relevant  regional  and  international 
frameworks. With reference to Article 34 and the conclusions of the World Summit 
on  Sustainable  Development  (WSSD),  which  took  place  in  Johannesburg  in  2002, 
the  Parties  underscore  the  need  to  address  the  links  between  affordable  access  to 
energy  services  and  sustainable  development.  These  activities  can  be  promoted  in 
cooperation with the European Union Energy Initiative, launched at the WSSD. 

3. 

The  Parties,  in  keeping  with  their  commitments  as  parties  to  the  UN  Framework 
Convention  on  Climate  Change  to  address  climate  change,  agree  to  promote 

EN 

23 

   EN 

 
technical cooperation and private-partnerships, in sustainable and renewable energy, 
flexible  market-based 
fuel-switch  and  energy  efficiency  projects 
mechanisms such as the carbon market mechanism. 

through 

Article 34 
Environment and Natural Resources 

1. The Parties agree that cooperation in this area shall promote the conservation and 
improvement  of  the  environment  in  pursuit  of  sustainable  development.  The 
implementation  of  the  outcome  of  the  World  Summit  on  Sustainable  Development 
and of relevant multilateral environmental agreements to which they are parties shall 
be taken into account in all activities undertaken by the Parties under this Agreement. 

2.  The  Parties  agree  on  the  need  to  conserve  and  manage  in  a  sustainable  manner  natural 
resources  and  biological  diversity  for  the  benefit  of  all  generations  taking  into 
account their developmental needs. 

3. The Parties agree to cooperate with a view to enhancing the mutual supportiveness of trade 
and  environment  policies,  and  the  integration  of  environmental  considerations  into 
all sectors of cooperation. 

4.  The  Parties  endeavour  to  continue  and  strengthen  their  cooperation  in  the  regional 

programmes on protection of the environment, as regards: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

i) 

enhancing  environmental  awareness  and  local  participation  in  environmental 
protection and sustainable development efforts, including participation of indigenous 
cultural communities/indigenous peoples and local communities; 

capacity building on climate change adaptation and mitigation and energy efficiency; 

capacity  building  for  participating  and  implementing  multilateral  environment 
agreements including but not limited to biodiversity and biosafety; 

promoting  environment  friendly  technologies,  products  and  services,  including 
through the use of regulatory and market-based instruments;  

improve natural resource including forest governance and combating illegal logging 
and  associated  trade,  and  the  promotion  of  sustainable  natural  resource  including 
forest management; 

effective management of national parks and protected areas and the designation and 
protection of areas of biodiversity and fragile ecosystems, with due regard for local 
and indigenous communities living in or near these areas; 

prevention  of  illegal  transboundary  movement  of  solid  and  hazardous  wastes  and 
other forms of wastes; 

protection  of  coastal  and  marine  environment  and  effective  water  resources 
management; 

protection  and  conservation  of  soils  and  sustainable  land  management,  including 
rehabilitation of mined-out/abandoned mines  

EN 

24 

   EN 

 
j) 

k) 

5. 

1. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

i) 

j) 

k) 

l) 

promoting capacity building in disaster and risk management; 

promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns in their economies; 

The  Parties  shall  encourage  mutual  access  to  their  programmes  in  this  field,  in 
accordance with the specific terms of such programmes. 

Article 35 
Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development 

The  Parties  agree  to  encourage  dialogue  and  promote  cooperation  towards 
sustainable  development  in  agriculture,  fisheries  and  rural  development.  Areas  of 
dialogue may include: 

agricultural policy and international agricultural outlook in general; 

the  possibilities  for  facilitating  trade  in  plants,  animals,  aquatic  animals  and  their 
products  taking  into  account  relevant  international  conventions  such  as  IPPC  and 
OIE, among others, to which they are parties; 

animal welfare; 

development policy in rural areas; 

quality policy for plants, animal and aquatic products, and in particular Geographical 
Indications; 

the  development  of  sustainable  and  environmentally-friendly  agriculture,  agro-
industry, biofuels, and the transfer of bio-technologies; 

plant  variety  protection,  seed  technology,  improving  crop  productivity,  alternative 
crop technologies including agricultural biotechnology; 

the development of databases on agriculture, fisheries and rural development; 

strengthening  human  resources  in  the  area  of  agriculture,  veterinary  affairs  and 
fisheries; 

supporting  sustainable  and  responsible  long-term  marine  and  fisheries  policy 
including fisheries technologies, conservation and management of coastal and high-
seas marine resources; 

promoting efforts to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing 
practices and associated trade;  

measures relating to exchange of experiences and partnerships, development of joint 
ventures  and  cooperation  networks  between  local  agents  or  economic  operators 
including  measures  to  improve  access  to  finance  in  areas  such  as  research  and 
technology transfer; 

m) 

strengthening producers associations and trade promotion activities. 

EN 

25 

   EN 

Article 36 
Regional Development and Cooperation 

The Parties shall promote mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation in the field 
of regional policy. 

They  shall  encourage  and  strengthen  the  exchange  of  information  and  the 
cooperation  on  regional  policy,  with  special  emphasis  on  the  development  of 
disadvantaged areas, urban-rural linkages and rural development. 

Cooperation in regional policy may take the following forms: 

methods of formulation and implementation of regional policies; 

multi-level governance and partnership; 

urban-rural relations; 

rural development, including initiatives to improve access to finance and sustainable 
development; 

1. 

2. 

3. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

statistics. 

Article 37 

Industrial Policy and SME Cooperation 

The  Parties,  taking  into  account  their  respective  economic  policies  and  objectives,  agree  to 
promote industrial policy cooperation in all fields deemed suitable, with a view to creating a 
climate conducive to economic development and improving the competitiveness of industries, 
especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), inter alia, through: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

promoting networking among economic operators, especially SMEs, with the aim of 
exchanging  information  and  experiences,  identifying  opportunities  in  sectors  of 
mutual interest, transfer of technology and boosting trade and investment;  

exchanging information and experience on creating framework conditions leading to 
an  enabling  environment  for  businesses,  especially  SMEs,  to  improve  their 
competitiveness;  

promoting the participation of both Parties in pilot projects and in special programmes 
according to their specific terms;  

promoting  investments  and  joint  ventures  to  stimulate  transfer  of  technology, 
innovation, modernization, diversification, and quality initiatives; 

providing information and stimulating innovation and exchanging good practices on 
access to finance, particularly for small and micro-enterprises;  

promoting  corporate  social  responsibility  and  accountability  and  encouraging 
responsible business practices, including sustainable consumption and production;  

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
g) 

developing  joint  research  projects  in  selected  industrial  areas  and  cooperation  on 
capacity  building  projects  including  on  standards  and  conformity  assessment 
procedures and technical regulations, as mutually agreed. 

Article 38 
Transport 

The Parties agree to cooperate in relevant areas of transport policy with a view to improving 
investment  opportunities,  the  movement  of  goods  and  passengers,  promoting  maritime  and 
aviation safety and security, addressing the environmental impact of transport and increasing 
the efficiency of their transport systems. 

Cooperation between the Parties in this area shall aim to promote: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

i. 

ii. 

exchanges  of  information  on  their  respective  transport  policies,  regulations  and 
practices,  especially  regarding  urban  and  rural  transport,  maritime  transport,  air 
transport,  transport  logistics,  and  the  interconnection  and  interoperability  of 
multimodal transport networks as well as the management of roads, railways, ports, 
and airports; 

exchange  of  views  on  the  European  Satellite  Navigation  Systems  (in  particular 
Galileo)  with  a  focus  on  regulatory,  industrial,  and  market  development  issues  of 
mutual benefit.  

continuing  the  dialogue  in  the  field  of  air  transport  services  with  a  view  to  ensure 
legal  certainty  without  any  undue  delay  to  the  existing  bilateral  air  services 
agreements between individual Member States and the Philippines.  

continuing  the  dialogue  on  enhancing  air  transport  infrastructure  networks  and 
operations  for  fast,  efficient,  sustainable,  safe  and  secure  movement  of  people  and 
goods, and promoting the application of competition law and economic regulation of 
the  air  industry,  with  a  view  to  supporting  regulatory  convergence  and  enhancing 
doing business, and to examine possibilities for the further development of relations 
in  the  field  of  air  transport.  Air  transport  cooperation  projects  of  mutual  interest 
should be further promoted; 

dialogue in the field of maritime transport policy and services aiming in particular at 
promoting  the  development  of  the  maritime  transport  industry  including  but  not 
limited to: 

the  exchange  of  information  on  legislation  and  regulations  concerning  maritime 
transport and ports; 

the promotion of unrestricted access to the international maritime markets and trades 
on  a  commercial  basis,  the  abstention  from  introducing  cargo  sharing  clauses, 
granting of national treatment and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause for vessels 
operated by nationals or companies of the other Party and relevant issues related to 
door-to-door transport services involving the sea leg taking into account the domestic 
laws of the Parties; 

iii. 

effective administration of ports and efficiency of maritime transport services; and  

EN 

27 

   EN 

iv. 

f) 

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

promotion  of  maritime  transport  cooperation  of  mutual  interest  and  the  area  of 
maritime labour, education and training pursuant to Article 27. 

a dialogue on the effective implementation of transport security, safety and pollution 
prevention  standards,  notably  as  regards  maritime  transport,  particularly  including 
combating  piracy,  and  air  transport,  in  line  with  the  relevant  international 
conventions  to  which  they  are  parties,  and  standards,  including  cooperation  in  the 
appropriate  international  fora  aiming  to  ensure  better  enforcement  of  international 
regulations.  To  this  end,  the  Parties  will  promote  technical  cooperation  and 
assistance  on  issues  related  to  transport  safety,  security  and  environmental 
consideration  including  but  not  limited  to  maritime  and  aviation  education  and 
training,  search  and  rescue,  and  accidents  and  incidents  investigation.  The  Parties 
will also focus on the promotion of environmentally friendly modes of transport. 

Article 39 
Scientific and Technological Cooperation 

The Parties agree to cooperate in the field of science and technology taking account 
of their respective policy objectives. 

The aims of such cooperation shall be to: 

encourage  exchanges  of  information  and  sharing  of  know-how  on  science  and 
technology, especially on the implementation of policies and programmes as well as 
intellectual property rights for research and development interventions; 

promote enduring relations and research partnerships between the Parties’ scientific 
communities, research centres, universities and industry; 

promote human resources training and technological and research capacity building. 

Cooperation  shall  take  the  form  of  joint  research  projects  and  exchanges,  meetings 
and training of researchers through international training and mobility schemes and 
exchange  programmes,  providing  for  the  maximum  dissemination  of  the  results  of 
research,  learning  and  best  practices.  Other  modes  of  cooperation  may  be  mutually 
agreed upon.  

These  cooperation  activities  should  be  based  on  the  principles  of  reciprocity,  fair 
treatment  and  mutual  benefits  and  ensure  an  adequate  protection  of  intellectual 
property. Any intellectual property rights issues that may arise under the context of 
cooperation  under  this  Agreement  may,  where  necessary,  be  the  subject  of 
negotiations  between  the  relevant  agencies  or  group  involved  prior  to  the 
commencement  of  cooperative  activities  and  may  include  issues  of  copyright, 
trademark and patents in consideration of their respective laws and regulations. 

The  Parties  shall  encourage  the  participation  of  their  respective  higher  education 
institutions,  research  centres,  and  productive  sectors  including  small  and  medium-
sized enterprises.  

The Parties agree to make all efforts to increase public awareness about possibilities 
offered by their respective programmes for science and technology cooperation. 

EN 

28 

   EN 

Article 40 
Cooperation on Information and Communication Technology  

Recognising  that  Information  and  Communication  Technology  (ICT)  is  a  key 
element of modern life and of vital importance to economic and social development, 
the Parties endeavour to exchange views on their respective policies in this field with 
a view to promoting economic development. 

Cooperation in this area shall, inter alia, focus on: 

participation in the comprehensive regional dialogue on  the different aspects of the 
information society, in particular electronic communications policies and regulation 
the 
including  universal  service, 
independence and efficiency of the regulatory authority, e-governance, research, and 
ICT enabled services; 

licensing  and  general  authorizations,  and 

interconnection  and  interoperability  of  the  Parties’  and  Southeast  Asian  networks 
(such as TEIN) and services; 

standardisation and dissemination of new and emerging technologies in the field of 
ICT; 

promotion of research cooperation in the area of ICT on topics of mutual interest to 
the Parties; 

sharing of best practices in an effort to bridge the digital divide; 

development  and  implementation  of  strategies  and  mechanisms  on  security  aspects 
of ICT and on fighting cyber crime; 

sharing of experiences on deployment of digital television, as well as on regulatory 
aspects, spectrum management and research; 

promoting efforts and sharing of experiences on human resources development in the 
area of ICT.  

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

Article 41 
Audiovisual, Media and Multimedia  

The  Parties  will  encourage,  support  and  facilitate  exchanges,  cooperation  and  dialogue 
between  their  relevant  institutions  and  agents  in  the  areas  of  audiovisual,  media  and 
multimedia. They agree to establish a regular policy dialogue in these areas. 

Article 42 
Cooperation on Tourism 

1. 

Guided by the World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and 
by  the  sustainability  principles  which  are  at  the  basis  of  the  Local  Agenda  21 
process, the Parties shall aim to improve the exchange of information and establish 
best practice in order to ensure a balanced and sustainable development of tourism. 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

a) 

Both Parties agree to undertake a dialogue  with  the  aim  of  facilitating cooperation, 
including  technical  assistance,  in  the  areas  of  human  resources  training  and 
development  of  new  technology  for  destinations  in  accordance  with  sustainable 
tourism principles. 

The  Parties  agree  to  develop  cooperation  on  safeguarding  and  maximising  the 
potential  of  natural  and  cultural  heritage,  mitigating  any  adverse  impact  of  tourism 
and  enhancing  the  positive  contribution  of  the  tourism  business  to  the  sustainable 
development  of  local  communities,  inter  alia,  by  developing  eco-tourism,  while 
respecting  the  integrity  and  interests  of  local  and  indigenous  communities,  and 
improving training in the tourism industry. 

Article 43 
Cooperation on Financial Services 

The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation with a view to achieving closer common 
rules and standards, and improving accounting, auditing, supervisory, and regulatory 
systems of banking, insurance, and other areas of the financial sector. 

The  Parties  recognise  the  importance  of  technical  assistance  and  capacity  building 
measures to this end. 

Article 44 
Good Governance in the Tax Area 

With  a  view  to  strengthening  and  developing  economic  activities  while  taking  into 
account  the  need  to  develop  an  appropriate  regulatory  framework,  the  Parties 
recognise and will implement the  principles of good governance in the tax area. To 
that  effect,  and  in  accordance  with  their  respective  competences,  the  Parties  will 
improve international cooperation in the tax area, facilitate the collection of legitimate 
tax  revenues,  and  develop  measures  for  the  effective  implementation  of  the 
abovementioned principles. 

The  Parties  agree  that  the  implementation  of  these  principles  takes  place  notably 
within  the  framework  of  existing  or  future  bilateral  tax  agreements  between  the 
Philippines and Member States. 

Article 45 
Health 

The  Parties  recognise  and  affirm  the  utmost  importance  of  health.  Therefore,  the 
Parties agree to cooperate in the health sector covering areas such as health system 
reform,  major  communicable  diseases  and  other  health  threats,  non-communicable 
diseases, and international health agreements towards the improvement of health and 
the sustainable development of the health sector on the basis of mutual benefits. 

Cooperation shall take place through: 

programmes covering the areas listed in paragraph 1, including the improvement of 
health systems, health services delivery, reproductive health services of the poor and 
vulnerable  women  and  communities,  health  governance  including  improved  public 

EN 

30 

   EN 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

finance  management,  health  care  financing,  health  infrastructure  and  information 
systems and health management; 

joint activities on epidemiology and surveillance, including exchange of information 
as  well  as  collaboration  in  the  early  prevention  of  health  threats  such  as  avian  and 
pandemic influenza and other major communicable diseases; 

prevention  and  control  of  non-communicable  diseases  through  exchange  of 
information and good practices, promoting healthy lifestyle, addressing major health 
determinants  such  as  nutrition,  addiction  to  drugs,  alcohol  and  tobacco  and 
development  of  health  related  research  programmes  as  foreseen  in  Article  39  and 
health promotion schemes; 

promoting  the  implementation  of  international  agreements,  such  as  the  Framework 
Convention on Tobacco Control and the International Health Regulations, to which 
they are parties; 

other  programmes  and  projects  to  improve  health  services  and  strengthen  human 
resources for health systems and health conditions as mutually agreed. 

Article 46 
Education, Culture, Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue 

The  Parties  agree  to  promote  education,  sports,  cultural  and  interfaith  cooperation 
that  duly  respects  their  diversity  in  order  to  increase  mutual  understanding  and  the 
knowledge  of  their  respective  cultures.  To  this  end,  the  Parties  will  support  and 
promote the activities of their cultural institutes. 

The Parties further agree to start a dialogue on matters of mutual interest relating to 
the  modernisation  of  education  systems,  including  matters  pertaining  to  core 
competencies  and  development  of  assessment  instruments  benchmarked  with 
standards. 
European 

The  Parties  endeavour  to  take  appropriate  measures  to  promote  people-to-people 
contacts  in  the  area  of  education,  sports  and  cultural  exchanges,  and  interfaith  and 
intercultural dialogues and carry out joint initiatives in various socio-cultural spheres, 
including  cooperation  in  heritage  conservation  with  respect  to  cultural  diversity.  In 
this  regard,  the  Parties  also  agree  to  continue  supporting  the  activities  of  the  Asia-
Europe Foundation, as well as the ASEM Interfaith Dialogue. 

The  Parties  agree  to  consult  and  cooperate  in  relevant  international  fora  or 
organisations,  such  as  the  UNESCO,  in  order  to  pursue  common  objectives  and 
promote  greater  understanding  and  respect  for  cultural  diversity.  In  this  regard,  the 
Parties  also  agree  to  promote  the  ratification  and  implementation  of  the  UNESCO 
Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 
adopted on 20 October 2005. 

The  Parties  shall  furthermore  place  emphasis  on  adopting  measures  designed  to 
strengthen links between their respective concerned agencies promoting exchange of 
information and know-how among experts, youth and youth workers (in and out-of-
school),  and  taking  advantage  of  their  respective  programmes  such  as  ERASMUS 

EN 

31 

   EN 

 
Mundus  in  the  areas  of  education  and  culture  as  well  as  the  experiences  that  both 
Parties have acquired in these areas. 

Article 47 
Statistics 

The  Parties  agree  to  promote,  in  accordance  with  their  existing  activities  of  statistical 
cooperation  between  the  European  Union  and  ASEAN,  which  include:  statistical  capacity 
building  the  harmonisation  of  statistical  methods  and  practice  including  the  gathering  and 
dissemination of statistics, thus enabling them to use, on a mutually acceptable basis, statistics 
on inter alia, national accounts, foreign direct investments, information communications and 
technology trade in goods and services and, more generally, on any other area covered by this 
Agreement which lends itself to statistical processing collection, analysis and dissemination. 

Title VII 

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 

Article 48 
Joint Committee 

1. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The Parties agree to establish under this Agreement a Joint Committee, composed of 
representatives of both sides at senior official level, charged with: 

the proper functioning and implementation of this Agreement; 

the setting of priorities in relation to the aims of this Agreement; 

making recommendations for promoting the objectives of this Agreement. 

The  Joint  Committee  shall  normally  meet  not  less  than  every  two  years  in  the 
Philippines  and  the  European  Union  alternately  on  a  date  to  be  fixed  by  mutual 
agreement. Extraordinary meetings of the Joint Committee may also be convened by 
agreement between the Parties. The Joint Committee shall be chaired alternately by 
each  of  the  Parties.  The  agenda  for  meetings  of  the  Joint  Committee  shall  be 
determined by agreement between the Parties. 

The Joint Committee shall establish specialised subcommittees to deal with all areas 
covered by this Agreement in order to assist it in the performance of its tasks. These 
subcommittees shall make detailed reports on their activities to the Joint Committee 
at each of its meetings. 

The Parties agree that it shall also be the task of the Joint Committee to oversee the 
proper  functioning  of  any  sectoral  agreement  or  protocol  concluded  or  to  be 
concluded between the Parties. 

5. 

The Joint Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 

Title VIII 

FINAL PROVISIONS 

EN 

32 

   EN 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Article 49 
Future Developments Clause 

The Parties may, by mutual consent and on recommendation of the Joint Committee, 
expand this Agreement with a view to enhancing the level of cooperation, including 
through supplementing it by means of agreements or protocols on specific sectors or 
activities. 

With regard to the implementation of this Agreement, either of the Parties may put 
forward suggestions for widening the scope of cooperation, taking into account the 
experience gained in its application. 

Article 50 

Resources for Cooperation  

The  Parties  agree  to  make  available  the  appropriate  resources,  including  financial 
means, insofar as their respective resources and regulations allow, in order to fulfil 
the cooperation objectives set out in this Agreement. 

The Parties shall implement financial assistance in accordance with the principles of 
sound  financial  management  and  cooperate  in  the  protection  of  their  financial 
interests.  The  Parties  shall  take  effective  measures  to  prevent  and  fight  fraud, 
corruption and any other illegal activities, inter alia, by means of mutual assistance 
in  the  fields  covered  by  the  present  Agreement  in  accordance  with  their  respective 
laws and regulations. Any further agreement or financing instrument to be concluded 
between the Parties shall provide for specific financial cooperation clauses covering 
on-the-spot  checks,  inspections,  controls,  and  anti-fraud  measures,  including,  inter 
alia,  those  conducted  by  the  European  Anti-fraud  Office  (OLAF)  and  the  relevant 
Philippine investigative authorities. 

The  Parties  shall  encourage  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  to  continue  its 
operations in the Philippines in accordance with its procedures and financing criteria, 
the  framework  agreement  signed  between  the  EIB  and  the  Philippines  and  with 
Philippine domestic laws. 

The  Parties  may  decide  to  extend  financial  support  to  cooperation  activities  in  the 
areas  covered  by  this  Agreement  or  in  relation  to  it  in  accordance  with  their 
respective  financial  procedures  and  resources.  These  cooperation  activities  may 
include,  as  appropriate,  but  not  be  limited  to,  capacity  building  and  technical 
cooperation  initiatives,  exchanges  of  experts,  conduct  of  studies,  establishment  of 
legal,  enforcement  and  regulatory  frameworks  that  promote  transparency  and 
accountability, and other activities agreed by the Parties. 

Article 51  

Facilities 

To  facilitate  cooperation  in  the  framework  of  this  Agreement,  both  Parties  agree  to  grant 
necessary  facilities  to  officials  and  experts  involved  in  implementing  cooperation  for  the 
performance of their functions in accordance with national/domestic laws, internal rules and 
regulations of both Parties. 

EN 

33 

   EN 

Article 52 
Other Agreements 

1. 

2. 

Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European 
Union  and  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  neither  this 
Agreement  nor  action  taken  hereunder  shall  affect  the  powers  of  the  Parties  to 
undertake  bilateral  cooperation  activities  or  to  conclude,  where  appropriate,  new 
partnership  and  cooperation  agreements  including  between  the  Philippines  and  the 
individual Member States. 

This  Agreement  shall  not  affect  the  application  or  implementation  of  commitments 
undertaken  or  to  be  undertaken  by  the  respective  Parties  in  relations  with  third 
parties. 

Article 53 

Fulfilment of Obligations 

1. The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations 
under  this  Agreement.  They  shall  see  to  it  that  the  objectives  set  out  in  the 
Agreement are attained. 

2.  Each  Party  may  refer  to  the  Joint  Committee  any  divergence  in  the  application  or 

interpretation of this Agreement.  

3. If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil any of its obligations under 
this Agreement, it may take appropriate measures. Before doing so, except in cases 
of  special  urgency  in  accordance  with  paragraph  5,  it  shall  present  to  the  Joint 
Committee  all  the  relevant  information  required  for  a  thorough  examination  of  the 
situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.  

4.  In  the  selection  of  measures,  priority  must  be  given  to  those  which  least  disturb  the 
functioning of this Agreement. These measures shall be notified immediately to the 
other Party and shall be the subject of consultations within the Joint Committee if the 
other Party so requests. 

5. The Parties agree, for the purposes of the correct interpretation and practical application of 
this Agreement, that the term ‘cases of special urgency’ in paragraph 3 means a case 
of a material breach of the Agreement by one of the Parties. A material breach of the 
Agreement consists of: 

a) 

b) 

repudiation  of  the  Agreement  not  sanctioned  by  the  general  rules  of  international 
law; or 

violation of essential elements of the Agreement, namely Article 1 paragraph 1 and 
Article 8 paragraph 2. 

Prior to the application of measures in the cases of special urgency, either Party may request 
that an urgent meeting be called to bring the Parties together. In the event of such a request 
and within 15 days, unless the Parties agree on another time period not exceeding 21 days, a 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
meeting shall be held to examine thoroughly the situation with a view to seeking a solution 
acceptable to the Parties. 

Article 54 

Definition of the Parties 

For the purposes of this Agreement, ‘the Parties’ shall mean the Union or its Member States 
or the Union and its Member States, in accordance with their respective powers, on the one 
hand, and the Republic of the Philippines, on the other. 

Article 55 

Territorial Application 

This  Agreement  shall  apply  to  the  territory  in  which  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European 
Union is applied under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and to the 
territory of the Philippines, on the other. 

Article 56 
Notifications 

Notifications made in accordance with Article 57 shall be made to the Secretary-General of 
the Council of the European Union and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, 
respectively, through diplomatic channels. 

Article 57 

Entry into Force and Duration 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date 
on  which  the  last  Party  has  notified  the  other  of  the  completion  of  the  legal 
procedures necessary for this purpose. 

This Agreement is valid for a period of five years. It shall be automatically extended 
for further successive periods of one year, unless either Party notifies the other Party 
in writing of its intention not to extend this Agreement six months prior to the end of 
any subsequent one-year period. 

Any amendments of this Agreement shall be made by agreement between the Parties. 
Any amendments shall enter into force according to paragraph 1 of this Article only 
after  the  last  Party  has  notified  the  other  that  all  necessary  formalities  have  been 
completed. 

This  Agreement  may  be  terminated  by  one  Party  by  written  notice  of  its  desire  to 
terminate this Agreement given to the other Party. The termination shall take effect 
six  months  after  receipt  of  notification  by  the  other  Party.  Termination  shall  not 
affect  agreed  or  ongoing  projects  commenced  under  this  Agreement  prior  to 
termination.  

EN 

Article 58 

35 

   EN 

 
Authentic Text 

This  Agreement  is  drawn  up  in  the  Bulgarian,  Czech,  Danish,  Dutch,  English,  Estonian, 
Finnish,  French,  German,  Greek,  Hungarian,  Italian,  Latvian,  Lithuanian,  Maltese,  Polish, 
Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts 
being equally authentic.  

The  Agreement  was  negotiated  in  English.  Any  linguistic  divergence  in  the  texts  shall  be 
referred to the Joint Committee. 

Done  in  duplicate  at  …………………  [place]  on  this  ……………………………..  day  of 
[month] in the year Two Thousand and ... 

The European Union 

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines 

The Republic of Bulgaria 

The Kingdom of Belgium 

The Czech Republic 

The Kingdom of Denmark 

The Federal Republic of Germany 

The Republic of Estonia 

The Hellenic Republic 

The Kingdom of Spain 

The French Republic 

Ireland 

The Italian Republic 

The Republic of Cyprus 

The Republic of Latvia 

The Republic of Lithuania 

The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg 

The Republic of Hungary 

The Republic of Malta 

The Kingdom of the Netherlands 

The Republic of Austria 

The Republic of Poland 

EN 

36 

   EN 

The Portuguese Republic 

Romania 

The Republic of Slovenia 

The Slovak Republic 

The Republic of Finland 

The Kingdom of Sweden 

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 

EN 

37 

   EN