DFA secretary on 3-day visit to Germany

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine foreign affairs secretary has embarked on an official visit to Germany for the first time in nine years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Secretary Albert del Rosario went on a historic three-day visit to Germany starting yesterday until Friday. Del Rosario’s trip, the first official visit to Germany by a Philippine foreign affairs secretary since 2002 when then Foreign Secretary Blas Ople visited the country, is expected to further boost bilateral ties between the two countries.

The DFA said “relations between the Philippines and Germany have strengthened in many years despite the Fraport issue” or the dispute over the third terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Highlights of Del Rosario’s visit include a meeting with German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle in Berlin today. During the meeting, Del Rosario is expected to convey the message that the Philippines regards Germany as one of its strongest economic, political and cultural partners in Europe.

According to the DFA, the two officials will discuss ongoing German development projects in the Philippines, new areas of cooperation as well as international issues which are of interest to the Philippines and Germany.

During the meeting, the secretary will cite concrete signs of the burgeoning ties such as the influx of German investments in the Philippines in recent years, which include known players in global business such as Deutsche Bank, Lufthansa Teknik, Continental Temic, and STEAG.

Germany is the Philippines’ 12th largest source of foreign direct investments. Latest data available show that direct investments from German companies in 2009 amounted to $535.8 million. In 2010, Germany was also the Philippines’ 6th largest export market, and the largest export market in Europe. Exports to Germany totaled to $2.66 billion (5.17 percent).