ASEAN against EU policy

ASEAN against EU policy

MANILA (AFP): ASEAN members are backing the Philippines in its
campaign against an European Union (EU) directive that could
force up the cost of importing and exporting food products, the
presidential palace said yesterday.

In addition to the support of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, three EU members are also
sympathetic to Manila's battle against the order.

The statement said ASEAN had conveyed a joint diplomatic note
to the Commission of the European Communities expressing "very
deep concern" over the new policy.

It also said France, Britain and Germany were also
"sympathetic to the Philippine efforts" against the new policy
which will for the first time require foodstuffs to be shipped in
containers especially dedicated for food.

The Philippines and other ASEAN countries have said the move
will increase their costs and "destabilize global productivity to
the particular detriment of producer developing nations."

The palace said that the EU policy will also hurt other
members of ASEAN which includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as well as the Philippines.