AN official of the Asean National Organizing Council downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against the European Union (EU) and said that its relationship with the Southeast Asian countries remained “robust.”Advertisements“The Asean-EU relationship is robust. Paynor said that it was important to distinguish the President’s statements as chairman of the Asean and as head of state. If the issue is not brought out by other Asean members, then it will remain a bilateral issue. In fact, Paynor said that all was well between Asean and the EU, which would celebrate 40 years of their relationship coinciding with the Asean Leaders Summit in Manila in November. This prompted the Philippines to invite leaders of the EU that included President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

Source: Manila Times October 24, 2017 06:00 UTC