Bangsamoro framework accord will boost European investments – VP Binay

By: Philippine News Agency
October 13, 2012 7:27 AM

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will spur more European investments as well as encourage Europe to continue its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the country, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Friday.

The Vice President will leave Sunday for Brussels on the first leg of his official trip to Europe as official representative of President Benigno Aquino III to the European Development Days (EDD).

He will also lead the Filipino contingent in the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21 at the Vatican City in Rome.

“The agreement is a step towards achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. I am confident it will entice European investors to put up their businesses here, especially in Mindanao,” Binay said.

“I also hope the agreement will serve as proof that we are serious in our efforts towards creating a peaceful and progressive Mindanao and this, in turn, will encourage the European community to continue to provide ODA to the Philippines,” he added.

Three financing agreements are currently in the pipeline, namely: the Justice for All Project, the Trade related technical Assistance Project II and the Improvement of the International Migration Management System of the Philippines.

“I am grateful to the European Union for crafting its new development policy called ‘Agenda for Change,’ which will increase the focus of the European Union’s development assistance on impact and inclusive growth including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals,” Binay said.

“I look forward to the finalization of the next financial cycle 2014–2020 for European Union’s development assistance to the Philippines,” he added.

Organized by the European Commission, the EDD is Europe’s premier forum on international affairs and development cooperation. It is expected to host heads of state from Europe and Africa.

The main themes that will be discussed in the meet would be food security, social protection and how to involve the private sector in developing countries. Binay is expected to speak at the forum.

While in Brussels, the Vice President is also set to meet H.E. Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission, for a bilateral discussion of common interests between the Philippines and Europe.

Binay will also meet with Siim Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner of Transport, to discuss the European Union (EU) ban on Philippine carriers and report measures that the government has undertaken to improve the state of the Philippine aviation industry.

Binay’s Brussels trip comes ahead of his visit to the Vatican City, where he will head the Philippine delegation that will witness the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21.

With the European region being a major employment area for Filipino sailors, the Vice President is also expected to raise the Philippine’s compliance to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-Keeping for Seafarers (SCTW Convention).

After the canonization, Binay, who is also the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns, will meet members of the Filipino community in Italy at the Pontifico Collegio Filippino.

“In all my trips abroad, I always make it a point to meet with our kababayans to personally hear from them their concerns and to assure them that our government is always looking after their welfare,” he said.

The Vice President will also attend the thanksgiving mass to be celebrated on Oct. 22, the day after the canonization at 8 a.m. at the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica.