French Minister to help lift aircraft blacklist on PHL - VP Binay

By OVP Media
July 7, 2012

MANILA  –  Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius promised to “exert a more vigorous effort” in helping lift the European Union aircraft blacklist on the Philippines.

“I pointed out to the Minister that at least 100 French companies have already established their presence in the Philippines, but that we believe there should be more,” Binay said in an arrival press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“At least 84 Airbus planes are now in operation in the country, a purchase order for another 115 Airbus planes at the cost of $15 billion, has failed to move forward because of a European Union aircraft blacklist on the Philippines,” he added.

In 2010, the European Union banned all airlines from the Philippines from flying into the region’s airports, citing “serious safety deficiencies” found by the United Nations and U.S. aviation authorities.

The European Commission, which manages the airline “blacklist,” said it would forbid airlines from the Philippines from flying into the 27-country bloc as a precaution until its remaining concerns could be addressed.

Binay was scheduled to meet with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault but an urgent business at the National Assembly prevented him from doing so. This prompted the Prime Minister to ask Minister Fabius to meet with Binay at Quai d’Orsay.

The Vice President said he reiterated President Benigno Aquino’s official invitation to President François Hollande to visit the Philippines, possibly on his way to or from Vientianne where is due to participate in the meeting of Asian and European leaders (ASEM) this November.

“I reminded the Minister that two Filipino presidents have already visited France – President Cory Aquino in 1989, and President Ramos in 1994.  It is now our turn to reciprocate the favor by receiving the French president,” he said.

Binay also said the Minister expressed unequivocal support for freedom of navigation in Panatag (Scarborough) shoal. However, Binay said Minister “could say nothing” on the sovereignty question.

“Our discussions covered a wide range of issues regarding the global situation and Franco-Philippine relations.  The Minister began by expressing his appreciation for President Aquino’s work in the Philippines, which he said is important to France,” Binay said.

“He expressed concern about developments in Syria, and the continuing problems in Europe.  But he expressed confidence that under the combined leadership of Germany and France, Europe would ultimately be able to surmount its present problems,” he added.

Binay left the country for Saudi Arabia on the last week of June upon instruction of President Aquino to condole with the Royal Family on the death of Crown Prince Nayef.

While on his special mission, the Vice President also took the opportunity to meet with the Filipino community in Riyadh and then in Dubai in hs capacity as presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns.

After his mission, Binay went with his family on a pilgrimage to Italy and France. The trip was primarily a personal visit with the consent of President Aquino and was paid for by his children as their gift in celebration of his 40th wedding anniversary.