By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippines and the Netherlands are looking to explore cooperation on critical minerals, recognizing the need to diversify amid uncertainties that are putting strain on global supply chains.
The potential cooperation was raised during a meeting between Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in The Hague on May 18.
Lazaro’s trip is the first official visit by a top Filipino diplomat to the Netherlands in 33 years, since that of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto Romulo in June 1993.
In a post on X, Berendsen described the talks as “fruitful,” putting emphasis on both nations’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, resilient supply chains and sustainable growth.
He also conveyed strong support to the early conclusion of negotiations on the Philippine-European Union Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to be completed within the year.
“The Ministers gave emphasis on the deepening of economic relations, pledging to work together particularly in the areas of water management, semiconductor, smart agriculture, and renewable energy,” the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands said on Tuesday.
“The two sides will also cooperate in strengthening supply-chain resilience through, among others, exploring initiatives on critical raw materials aimed at diversification and value addition,” it said.
The two ministers likewise agreed to increase engagement in maritime security, combating transnational crimes, sustainability and climate action, the environment, connectivity, academic cooperation, and people-to-people linkages.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the two expressed concern over challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea.
Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea, the ministers affirmed that the decision is “legally binding and a significant contribution to international law and the interpretation and application of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
On the Middle East crisis, they underscored the importance of maintaining stable, open, and reliable global energy supply chains and maritime trade routes, and the protection and well-being of seafarers and freedom of navigation.
The Philippines and the Netherlands established formal relations on May 17, 1951, which have since grown steadily over the past years.
The embassy said the Netherlands remained among the Philippines’ top five investor-countries through the years, and “often the number one” among the 27-member European Union.
The Netherlands ranked first among the Philippines’ top sources of foreign investments, as approved by the Philippine Investment Promotion agencies in the past 12 years, with PHP755 billion (EUR 12 billion) coming from Dutch investors in the said period.
Among the notable Dutch companies operating in the Philippines are the ING Bank N.V., Nexperia and Ampleon, Royal Boskalis, Friesland Campina, East West Seed, Shell, Philips, and Royal Haskoning.
The Netherlands is also the country’s second-largest trading partner and export market in Europe, with a steady annual increase of some 10 percent in bilateral trade. The bulk of Philippine exports enters the European market through the Port of Rotterdam.
According to the embassy, the two countries so far have cooperation agreements covering areas of economic and technical cooperation, investment promotion and protection, merchant shipping, air services, social security, and trafficking in persons, among others. (PNA)
