The European Union (EU) Sunday expressed hope that the Philippines would soon ratify the Rome Statute, to further increase international collaboration, particularly in the area of international criminal justice.

James Moran, European Commission (EC) external relations director for Asia, said it continues to encourage other countries, including the Philippines, to ratify the Rome Statute.

“We encourage all of our partners to [make a] move [towards] the ratification [of the Rome Statute],” Moran said, adding that “we are also [encouraging] other countries now to ratify the Rome Statute. We believe that it can, in the future, increase international collaboration when it comes to international criminal justice.”

“We hope the Philippines will join us,” he said, citing the advantage the Philippines would gain upon signing the Rome Statute.

“In the case of the Philippines, I think that above all, what it does is to reassure that no one is above the law and I think that is a very reassuring thing for people anywhere in the world,” Moran said.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is said to be crucial for trying crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crime of aggression.

The ICC, a permanent tribunal for the punishment of the crimes, has its official seat of the court in The Hague, Netherlands although the court proceedings may take place anywhere. The Rome Statute was founded on July 1, 2002.

Currently, there are 110 member-states of the ICC, said to be the “missing link” in the international legal system.