As the first-ever EU Commission president to visit the Southeast Asian country in nearly six decades, von der Leyen said her visit signals accelerating a new era of cooperation between the EU and the Philippines. (Photo: mb.com.ph)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines and theEuropean Union (EU) on July 31 agreed to revitalise trade and relaunch freetrade agreements (FTA) talks.
The consensus was reached during a meeting betweenPhilippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and EU Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyen in Manila.
As the first-ever EU Commission president to visit theSoutheast Asian country in nearly six decades, von der Leyen said her visitsignals accelerating a new era of cooperation between the EU and thePhilippines, vowing to bring the bilateral trade relations to the next level.
She said the FTA could be a springboard for a newtechnology cooperation to modernise the broader economy.
She added that the EU would provide 466 million EUR (513million USD) in funding to for the transition to a circular economy, and thegeneration of green energy through the Global Gateway sustainable investmentplan.
For his part, Marcos said in a speech that hediscussed with the EU chief economic relations with particular focus onrevitalising trade between the two sides.
Marcos welcomed resuming negotiations forPhilippine-EU free trade, adding that his administration would work with EUexperts to achieve the bilateral FTA.
He also thanked the EU's long-term support for hiscountry, particularly on the EU's recognition of a seafarer certificate issuedby the Philippines that will benefit over 50,000 Filipino seafarers workingonboard EU-flagged vessels.
Free trade talks began in 2015 under former PresidentBenigno Aquino, but stalled under the administration of his immediatepredecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, due to tensionsbetween the Philippines and Western nations relating the "drug war"carried out by Duterte./.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said in order to help control consumer prices, the Government aims to increase domestic food production and promptly enhance the supply through imports. This means priority will be given to the development of the agriculture sector, which has long been neglected.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on July 29 the country must boost its rice stocks and that he may seek a supply deal with India, worried about the potential impact of El Nino dry weather on the local harvest and about other suppliers.
The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on July 31 announced that the death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by Typhoon Doksuri climbed to 25, and at least 20 others remain missing.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
As the first-ever EU Commission president to visit the Southeast Asian country in nearly six decades, von der Leyen said her visit signals accelerating a new era of cooperation between the EU and the Philippines. (Photo: mb.com.ph) 
