Makati skyline. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Four foreign envoys see Philippines as a vital economic security partner.
The diplomats are Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, United Kingdom Ambassador Laure Beaufils, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman and Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines Luc Veron.
“Philippines is really very high in our priority,” Yu said during Stratbase ADR Institute’s Pilipinas Conference held Wednesday.
“Australian government is going to put money where our mouth is to help increase the bilateral trade and investment between our two countries because we know that’s what you need from a good friend, and that’s what we need from you as well,” the diplomat noted.
Beaufils said there is a need to strengthen bilateral trade between her country and Philippines further, despite it being “at the highest it has ever been.”
“The bottom line is still very much about the ease of doing business, very much about predictability – predictability when it comes to taxes, as well as legislation or regulatory environment,” the envoy said.
For Hartman, on the other hand, Philippines is an important ally.
“The Philippines is very much at the core of our Indo-Pacific strategy as an essential partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific, as a democracy that shares our commitment to a rules-based international order, to peace and stability, free trade, inclusive multilateralism, and fundamental human rights,” Hartman said.
Meanwhile, Veron underscored the importance of strengthening trade with other countries.
“The global economy remains integrated, interconnected, and effective. The protection of the European Union depends on cooperation and coordination with others,” Veron said.