German parliamentarians in Manila for talks with gov’t execs

MANILA, Philippines - A high-level delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament is in Manila for a three-day visit beginning today to hold talks with Philippine officials.

The German embassy in Manila said yesterday the committee, headed by Chairman Ruprecht Polenz, oversees the German government’s foreign policy and is involved in all major foreign and security policy decisions.

It is the third German high-level visit to the Philippines this year, following the visits of German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in February and Federal Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen in March.

“The increased number of high-level visitors not only reflects the great interest in Germany in the reform effort of the administration under President Aquino but also a new dynamic in the bilateral relations of Germany and the Philippines,” the embassy said.

During their visit on April 11-13, the committee will meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Commission on Human Rights chair Loretta Ann Rosales.

Delegates will also hold talks with officials at the Department of Justice and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

They are also expected to meet with members of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of German foundations.