In a span of just five days this month, the Philippines managed to strengthen bilateral ties with two countries in Europe: Germany and the Czech Republic.
In the process, President Marcos Jr. has brought home tangible benefits for the country in the form of trade and investments deals as well as pledges of assistance in our defense and security requirements.
In his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin as part of a three-day working visit, the President discussed ways to further enhance trade and investments between our two countries.
After all, Germany is our 11th trading partner in 2023 and has been a major source of foreign direct investments. Among the prominent German companies in the Philippines at present are Siemens, Lufthansa, Deutsche Bank, Bayer, and Bosch, among others.
The Philippines can benefit as well from expanded cooperation with Germany in manufacturing, construction and infrastructure, innovation and startups, as well as renewable energy and minerals processing.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the total investment commitments made during the Germany visit amounted to $4 billion (about P220 billion) in key sectors like health care, manufacturing, innovation, agriculture, and renewable energy. This will no doubt create more jobs for Filipinos.
The Chief Executive also sought expanded defense cooperation with Germany beyond training of the Philippine military to include cyber and maritime domains amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea.
He emphasized in his talks with Scholz the importance of defending the rule of law and maintaining a rules-based international order.
In his two-day state visit to the Czech Republic, President Marcos’ meeting with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala led to an agreement for an increase in the quota of Filipino workers that can be admitted to the country as well as agreements on trade, defense, agriculture and renewable energy.
The two sides also signed a deal to establish a labor consultations mechanism aimed at elevating the two countries’ cooperation on the safe and orderly migration and higher protection for overseas Filipino workers.
This mechanism is expected to benefit around 7,026 Filipinos working in the Czech Republic in various industries.
The Czech president expressed readiness to help the Philippines meet its defense and security measures by supplying equipment and technology transfers required in our military modernization program, which involves the acquisition of more ships, aircraft and radar systems to focus on improving the country’s archipelagic defense capabilities.
All told, a very fruitful five-day visit to Europe by the President will help boost our economic growth and strengthen our defense capability within the framework of our independent foreign policy.