Duterte rejects EU invite: Thanks, but no thanks

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte called the European Union “imperialist” after he had turned down their invitation for him to attend the Asia-Europe meeting in Belgium last year.

This is not the first time the president has expressed his dislike towards the bloc.

He has thrown expletives towards the European Union when they criticized his bloody war on drugs, and disregard of human rights.

“Well, I just don’t like their attitude. That’s all,” the President said.

“So why would I go there to discuss a matter which I hate to talk about in front of them,” Duterte said upon arriving from India.

Duterte said that he did not like the attitude of the European Union so he did not see any reason for him to go.

Aside from that, President Duterte also said that the trip to Europe will be expensive.

“You have always been imperialists ever since,” he said.

Duterte, known for his strongman attitude, said that the EU is knwn for wanting to “impose their own values, ethos, policy.”

“I will not allow the government to be beholden to anyone except to the people,” he said of his rejection of P383 million in EU aid.

Franz Jessen, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, said they sent the invite to president Duterte in order for him to better understand the union, and hopefully see them in a better light.

However, Duterte has been persistent in saying no.

Even the EU-Philippine Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) has been rejected by the Duterte administration. Jessen said that upon reading the terms “rule of law” and “human rights” in the TRTA document, the Philippine president said no.

***

Source: Inquirer

Comment your thoughts, hit Like and Share the article. Thank you!