Today, we met with our French counterparts in a bilateral meeting, where we expressed our appreciation to the French Senators headed by Senator Olivier Henno for their unceasing support for the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea and for helping us defend our seas.
We also extend our gratitude for the Philippines’ inclusion once again in the European Union’s (EU) Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which provides developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance. The Philippines has benefited from the GSP+ since 1994, which has helped our country’s socio-economic development. We also look forward to the Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement, which will open doors to improved market access.
Just like the French, culture and arts are our souls. We have been supporting the Philippine Studies Program at Sciences Po in Paris, France. Environmental protection is also among our shared advocacies. Both nations have pushed for the operationalization of loss and damage funds for climate-vulnerable countries.
As an advocate for climate change, we will continue our unwavering support for the Paris Agreement, as well as for the Paris Agenda for People and the Planet (4Ps) and the Oceans Conference to be held in Nice, France in 2025 to ensure that the next generations will live a fruitful and prosperous life in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
This year marks the 77th anniversary of Philippine-France diplomatic relations. As the founder and president of the Philippines-France Parliamentary Friendship Association and as a Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre national de la légion d’Honneur (National Order of the French Legion of Honor) bestowed by the French government, I am deeply honored to welcome the esteemed French delegation to our country. I wish for a stronger and more meaningful relationship between our two great nations. ????
