Duterte Administration Rejects EU Aid

An aid amounting to 6.1 million euro or about P382 million from the European Union (EU) was rejected by the Duterte administration because of sovereignty matters according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Lopez said that the language used in the agreement “sorts of” touches on sovereignty issues. Both parties tried to correct the language but it was not fixed until it reached the deadline.

The trade secretary cannot specifically point out though what certain language was used that made the aid unacceptable. He just said that agreements were usually rejected because of the way it is written.

The European Union Ambassador, Franz Jessen, already confirmed the rejection of the Philippines to EU’s trade-related assistance.

EU has been consistent on giving critical statements about Duterte’s war on drugs resulting to some misunderstanding between the Duterte administration and the EU.

Presidential Spokesman, Harry Roque, on the other hand said that the country will provide for the needs of its people and does not need to rely on “dole-outs,” he added that, “We are doing it as a country. We are providing for the needs of our people. We now have outstanding economic growth and this will enable us to give what our people will need”.