Marcos sees ‘fruitful outcomes’ from Europe trip

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PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he would continue to strengthen partnerships with “like-minded countries promoting the rules-based international order” during his official visit to Germany and state visit to the Czech Republic this week.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and several Cabinet members, left yesterday afternoon for Berlin for the official visit from March 11 to 13.

He is expected to arrive in Berlin at 9:30 p.m. Monday (5:30 a.m. Tuesday in Manila).

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Marcos would proceed to the Czech Republic for an overnight state visit from March 12 to 13.

Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte Sara Duterte, who led officials who sent off the President at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, will head the caretaker committee while Marcos is in Europe.

The President expressed confidence his visit to the European nations would be fruitful and productive as agreements will be signed, including on strengthening maritime cooperation, and on the establishment of a labor consultation program.

Marcos said he will also invite investors and talk about exploring new areas of cooperation with the leaders of Germany and the Czech Republic.

“My visit marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to continuously deepen bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation with Germany and the Czech Republic, and indeed the world,” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines has enjoyed long and robust relations with the two nations, and even shares the same affinity for Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Rizal’s literary work Noli Me Tangere was published in Berlin while the last letter sent by the national hero before his execution was to Ferdinand Blumentritt of Prague, the capital of Czech.

“Thus, I look on my trip to the center of Europe with anticipation and optimism for the opportunities to be explored and for our friendship with the German and Czech nations to be affirmed and strengthened,” he said.

CORNERSTONE

The President said that during his visit to the two nations, he will also “underscore our unwavering commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries promoting the rules-based international order, which serves as the cornerstone of global peace and of stability.”

Marcos has repeatedly said that the Philippines would partner and work with like-minded nations amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea in the disputed South China sea.

Foreign Assistant Secretary for European affairs Maria Elena Algabre last week said the maritime row will be part of the President’s agenda in Germany and the Czech Republic which are “like-minded” nations that share “values for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, including the promotion of an open, inclusive, international rules-based order.”

Marcos said he would also promote the expansion of economic cooperation and opening of more avenues for mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.

He said he also wants to tap Germany’s expertise in renewable energy to assist the Philippines in its energy transition efforts, as well as in strengthening the manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, aerospace, innovation and startups, information technology-business process management, and minerals processing industries.

“In the same vein, we wish to harness the Czech Republic’s expertise on agriculture, manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry, transportation, renewable energy, space, and scientific instruments that they have been leading the world in, in terms of technology,” he added.

The President said that during his trip, he would also have a meeting with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Czech Republic’s four constitutional heads of government – President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President MiloÅ¡ Vystrčil, and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová in Prague.

“So, as we embark on that journey, I’m confident that this visit will yield fruitful outcomes. I look forward to having productive discussions, fruitful collaboration, and memorable experiences that will further cement the enduring ties between the Philippines, and Germany and of course, the Czech Republic,” Marcos said.

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The Philippines and Germany will commemorate their 70th relations this year. The  Czech Republic and the Philippines commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year.

Marcos, before returning to Manila, would also meet with the Filipino communities of the two countries “to reaffirm my commitment to their welfare and to explore ways of harnessing their talents for the betterment of our nation.”

Germany is home to about 35,000 Filipinos including workers in the health, manufacturing, and information technology industries, while there are about y 7,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic.

This is Marcos’ fifth and sixth international trip this year. He attended a royal wedding in Brunei and conducted a state visit to Vietnam in January, and went to Australia last month for a state visit and to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Australia Special Summit.

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