The European Union mulls increasing its engagements with the Philippines as confirmed by EU Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, during his meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner Jr. at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City over the weekend.

AFP Public Affairs chief LtCol. Enrico Gil Ileto said Véron has reiterated the EU's desire to remain the country's partner in cultivating the potentials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, by providing institution-building and socio-economic programs in the area.

Ileto said Brawner has expressed his "profound gratitude" to the EU's plan with the region.

"The ambassador relayed their side's intention to increase engagement with the Philippines due to its geopolitical importance to the EU and significance to the protection of its interests in the region," said Ileto.

"General Brawner Jr in turn committed its support to EU's programs in the Philippines and praised their clear positive effects on the development and improved security in Mindanao," he added.