The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) recently hosted the third session of its Meet the Diplomat Series (MDS), bringing together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to discuss the EU-Philippines alliance on trade, green innovation, and agricultural development.
With the support of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the event, held on April 15, 2026, featured His Excellency Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines, who shared insights on the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the Philippines.
Sharing the EU's vision for a stronger partnership with the country, Santoro expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be concluded in 2026.
"Free trade is a primary driver of job creation and economic well-being," he said. The FTA is expected to open up a market of nearly 450 million high-income consumers to Philippine products.
Santoro said the Philippines is one of only eight countries benefiting from the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus or GSP+, a special mechanism that allows tariff-free exports of over 6,200 products to the EU.
He also noted that the EU and the Philippines enjoy a complementary agricultural relationship, with many products native to one region not found in the other, minimizing direct competition and making goods cheaper for consumers.
Under the Global Gateway framework, Santoro said that the EU is supporting the Philippines' transition to a digital and green economy, highlighting that the Copernicus satellite system, a network of 20 European satellites, provides critical data to the Philippines on land use, climate change, and disaster management.
He added that the EU is also promoting circular economy models, smarter irrigation practices, and biotechnology adoption to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Emphasizing that legislative frameworks are key drivers of innovation, commanding the shift toward healthier and more environmentally friendly production standards, Santoro also encouraged youth leaders in agribusiness to pursue an all-encompassing, data-driven, inclusive, and sustainable production model.
Grounded on the Center's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia or Sustain Southeast Asia, the third MDS session reaffirmed SEARCA's commitment to building strategic international partnerships that bridge the gap between diplomacy, science, and policy for the benefit of the region's agricultural future.
The EU-Philippines partnership is a shining example of how countries can work together to achieve shared goals and create a better future for their citizens. As Ambassador Santoro said, "The EU and the Philippines are natural partners, and together, we can achieve great things."
The Meet the Diplomat Series is a platform for high-level dialogue between policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, focusing on key issues in agriculture and international cooperation. The series aims to promote mutual understanding, collaboration, and progress in the region.