EU’s Catherine Ashton to visit Philippines Monday

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit Manila on Monday, July 28.

Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will pay a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday and meet Foreign Affairs Secretary Eduardo del Rosario for an exchange of views on the EU-Philippines relations.

The EU official, who is also the vice-president of the European Commission, will discuss  with del Rosario ways of further strengthening economic ties between the EU and the Philippines.

The two officials will also exchange views on regional security and the latest development of the Mindanao Peace Process.

Ashton’s visit to the Philippines came after the highly successful EU-Asean Foreign Ministers meeting held in Brussels last week.

The EU is a major trade and investment partner of the Philippines.