EU, PH mark 60 years of ties with lighting of SM globe

Photo courtesy of the European Delegation to the Philppines

MANILA, Philippines — From January 12-19, 2024, SM Mall of Asia’s iconic globe will shine with the logo commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the European Union and the Philippines.

A lighting ceremony, led by Ambassador Luc Véron, the European Union’s ambassador to the Philippines, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro, together with SM Supermalls’ president  Steven Tan, marked the beginning of the yearlong celebration. The event was attended by ambassadors from the embassies of European Union Member States.

The 60th-anniversary logo represents the enduring commitment to mutual understanding and collaborative problem-solving, symbolizing cooperation, solidarity, and synergy between the two regions. “2024 is a celebration of the values that the EU and the Philippines share – democracy, human rights, equality, the rule of law, and support for multilateralism and international law,” said Véron.

Throughout the year, various special events, including a multimedia exhibition, an inter-collegiate quiz (EU Whiz), and a choral competition, will mark the 60th anniversary.

These events highlight the milestones and achievements of EU-Philippines cooperation over the past six decades, celebrating the strong ties and friendship between the two entities.

This celebration also reflects the long-standing relationship between the European Union and the Philippines, which formally began on May 12, 1964, with the establishment of formal ties with the European Community, the precursor to the European Union.

Since then, the relationship has evolved from a focus on developmental goals to a collaborative and mutually beneficial approach.

The Philippines’ role as the Asean country coordinator for the Asean-EU Dialogue relations, both from 1991 to 1994 and again from August 2021 until 2024, has expanded the partnership’s scope to include regional security, human rights, and other critical areas.

The enactment of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 2018 further strengthened this relationship, covering a wide range of mutual interests.