Marcos honors outgoing EU envoy

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron. Photo from EU Delegation to the Philippiines

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Silver Distinction on outgoing European Union (EU) Ambassador Luc Véron for helping forge stronger economic and trade ties with the EU.

Mr. Marcos also took to social media to express his gratitude to the outgoing envoy, who arrived in the Philippines in December 2020 and presented his credentials to then President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2021.

“I’d like to thank EU Ambassador H. E. Luc Véron for the invaluable partnership the Philippines has built with the European Union through his leadership in the last three years.

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He has played a key role in strengthening our country’s economic and trade ties with the EU,” Mr. Marcos said on Facebook and Instagram.

Last year, approved EU investments from Investment Promotion Agencies reached $13.412 billion. The EU also expressed strong support for the Philippines and its 2016 arbitral award amid the West Philippine Sea dispute and China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters. —JULIE M. AURELIO