By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Malacañang, with both leaders highlighting shared support for a rules-based international order and deeper cooperation in security, trade, climate action and maritime affairs.
Steinmeier’s trip marks the first visit by a German head of state to the Philippines in 63 years.
Marcos said the Philippines looks forward to expanding cooperation with Germany in both bilateral and multilateral fields.
“In our meeting today, Your Excellency, we look forward to discussing with the German delegation the wide array of cooperation between our two countries, both in the bilateral and in the multilateral fields,” he said in his opening statement for the two leaders’ bilateral meeting.
The President added that the Philippines and Germany are “very much like-minded on the important issues of our times” and share concerns over global challenges affecting peace and stability.
Steinmeier, for his part, underscored the close alignment between Manila and Berlin on international issues despite the long gap between presidential visits.
“We are defending the rules-based order, we are defending the United Nations, the international law. So, therefore, in our positions we are both very close,” the German leader said.
The German president also bared that his historic visit was originally scheduled in March but was postponed due to disruptions caused by tensions in the Middle East and the temporary closure of airspace in the Gulf region.
According to Malacañang, the two leaders are expected to also delve into key areas including defense cooperation, peacebuilding initiatives, maritime collaboration, trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy and people-to-people exchanges.
They are also set to exchange views on regional and international developments.
The visit comes amid increasing cooperation between Manila and European partners on maritime security and the promotion of a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. (PNA)
