Del Rosario seeks support for stronger Philippine-German relations

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday urged the visiting delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Parliament to support efforts in bringing Philippine-German relations to greater heights.

Del Rosario made the call when he received the delegation, further boosting Germany and Philippines relations.

Among the issues discussed during the call were economic relations between the Philippines and Germany, German official development assistance, support to the peace process in Mindanao, and assistance in enhancing the Philippine criminal justice system and law enforcement and in promoting good governance.

The issue on the West Philippine Sea and developments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific region were also discussed.

“It is in the best interest of the Philippines and Germany that the high-level exchanges among our officials will continue,” Del Rosario said.

The delegation will also participate today in a discussion with members of the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Headed by Ruprecht Polenz (CDU/CSU), the delegation also includes Hans-Ulrich Klose (SPD), Jürgen Klimke (CDU/CSU), Johannes Pflug (SPD), Dr. Rainer Stinner (FDP), Mr. Stefan Liebich (Die Linke), and Dr. Michael Fuchs. They are on official visit to Manila for three days from April 11.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs is influential in the German Bundestag, being one of the four committees provided for on a permanent basis in the German Basic Law. It deals with the classic area of policy and oversees German foreign policy.

The visit came at the heels of three other visits of German officials during the first quarter of this year.

On Feb. 7, German Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle came to Manila with a business delegation for the first visit at his level in more than 12 years.

Westerwelle was followed by a delegation from the German Ministry of Defense led by Rear Admiral Thorsten Kahler on Feb. 13.

German Labour and Social Affairs Minister Ursula von der Leyen also came to Manila on March 17 to witness the signing of the Agreement Concerning the Deployment of Filipino Health Care Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany.