European Commission Headquarters, Brussels
15 September 2014

On the first day of his Working Visit to the European Union (EU) headquartered in Brussels, Belgium,  President Benigno S. Aquino III met with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

In his departure statement in Manila on 13 September 2014, the President cited a number of issues that he will discuss with the EU leadership which are crucial to the mutual interests of both parties.

“Isang halimbawa po nito ang pagtalakay natin sa usapin kaugnay sa ating seafarers, partikular na ang naging pagsusuri ng European Maritime Safety Agency o EMSA sa antas ng kanilang kasanayan.  Sa pakikipagdayalogo sa mga pinuno ng kanilang bansa, ilalatag natin ang mga ginagawa nating hakbang upang masigurong nasasanay at naihahanda ang ating mga marino alinsunod sa 1978 Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW),” President Aquino said.

Moreover, the President will reiterate the Philippines’ commitment to eradicate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).  Last 17 July 2014, the country submitted its response to the European Commission’s notification identifying the country as a possible non-cooperating third country in the fight against IUUF.

Upon receipt of the Philippines’ measures outlined in the response, the EU recognized the country’s efforts in addressing the remaining issues to eradicate IUUF and expressed its confidence that the country will be able to exit the yellow card regime at the soonest time possible.

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