President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. believes the ties between the Philippines and Germany are promising, saying the two countries must strengthen its relations on trade, diplomacy and politics and people-to-people cooperation.
Marcos expressed this as he welcomed Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, resident Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Philippines, in Malacañang on Thursday, Aug. 17, when the latter presented his credentials to the President.
According to Malacañang, the President expressed his firm belief that "the possibilities and potentials of further strengthening relations between the Philippines and Germany show a great deal of promise."
He noted the changes the world sees today and underscored the importance of reinvigorating these ties not only in terms of trade, diplomacy and politics, but in people-to-people relations as well.
Pfaffernoschke, on the other hand, expressed his intention to foster the Philippines-Germany relations in all aspects, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and economic cooperation, joint efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and in maintaining international order based on the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
The Philippines and Germany formally established diplomatic relations in 1954.
Over the years, bilateral cooperation developed into a broad-based partnership ranging from joint projects in different areas including climate, environment, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction, as well as the peace process in Mindanao. Human rights, people-to-people exchanges and commitment to a rules-based order in the region also top Germany’s policy in the Philippines.
Both countries will celebrate the 70th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024.