THE Philippines is not closing its doors to accepting future grants from the European Union (EU) as long as it "there is no conditionalities," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Wednesday.
This developed a day after Cayetano's meeting with EU representatives led by EU ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen.
On the sidelines of turnover rites of Russian weapons to the Philippines in Manila, Cayetano said he was able to have a "very frank and honest" discussion with EU members, following the Duterte administration's decision to reject European bloc's "grants with conditionalities."
The Foreign Affairs chief said he reiterated to EU representatives the Philippine government's concern that it does not want interference from other international community when it comes to its domestic policies.
"We affirmed to him (Jessen) that the ties are there. [These] are strong – the things that bind the Philippines and Europe," Cayetano told Palace reporters.
"I already stated the policy, if there are no conditionalities and it will not affect our sovereignty, then everyone is free to help. If it will, then we will not accept it," he added.
On October 20, Malacañang said the Duterte administration will not accept EU "grants with conditions" to block the international organization's intervention in the Philippines' internal affairs.
It, however, clarified that the Philippines was still open to entering into a trade agreement with EU.
The Philippines has become detached from the EU since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office last year.
Duterte, who adopted a policy of non-interference in his war on illegal drugs, has repeatedly lambasted EU for allegedly criticizing his crackdown on narcotics trade.
The President has also challenged the EU to withdraw its aid to the Philippines, saying the Filipino people could live without its assistance. (VoxPop Philippines)
