The European Union and the Philippines are showcasing their 60-year diplomatic relationship through a multi-media exhibition, “Shared Journey: 60 Years of EU-Philippines Diplomatic Relations.” The exhibition, which runs until 14 June 2024, documents the relationship since the first Philippine Ambassador to the European Commission’s credentials in 1964 and the official opening of the EU Delegation to the Philippines in 1991. It chronicles the relationship’s progress by using images, sounds, and objects.
The exhibition is one of a series of events organized by the EU Delegation to the Philippines to celebrate six decades of partnership and friendship with the Philippines. It recently conducted a choral festival, “Sounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-PH Relations,” in collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
Diplomatic Relations H. E. Luc Véron, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega opened the exhibition with Yuchengco Museum Executive Director and Curator Jeannie Javelosa. Ambassador Véron underscored the longstanding partnership of the European Union with the Philippines and their shared commitment to a rules-based international order. The EU Ambassador also mentioned the collaboration on circular economy, sustainable energy, and enhanced connectivity to build a greener and more interconnected future.
Over the years, political and diplomatic relations between the EU and the Philippines have transitioned from primarily focused on developmental goals to a wide range of areas, including political relations, trade, and economic cooperation, security, transport, education and culture, health, etc. 2018 the EU-Philippines Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation entered into force. This agreement signalled the initiation of collaboration across various areas of mutual interest, encompassing politics, society, economics, counterterrorism, transnational crime prevention, human rights, justice, peace efforts, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trade, migration, maritime labour, employment, disaster risk management, and health. From 1991 to 1994, the Philippines served as country coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue relations. The Philippines is again the country coordinator from August 2021 until August 2024.
Meanwhile, Europe Day reception was held on 9 May 2024 with Ambassador Véron and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Antonio Morales and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Most Reverend Charles Brown, leading the toast. Europe Day marks the founding of the European Union and is celebrated by EU Delegations across the globe. The award-winning choir in the choral festival “Sounds of Celebration: Sixty Years of EU-PH Relations,” “Los Cantantes de Manila,” conducted by Darwin Vargas, rendered the anthem of the Philippines and the EU Hymn. The choir was the Grand Prix Winner of the 2015 Busan Choral Festival and Competition and First Prize in the 2017 and 2023 editions of the Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany. In July of this year, the choir is set to represent the Philippines in competitions in Italy, Spain, and Hungary.
Atty Karen Jimeno was the master of ceremonies. Iconic buildings and monuments such as the Rizal Monument and Dancing Fountain in Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, the De La Salle University and Heroes Square hosting the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Manila, the Mabalacat City College, and the University of the Philippines in Miagao, were illuminated in the EU flag blue and yellow colors to mark this occasion.
