PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. leaves today for an official trip to Germany from March 11 to 13, his fifth international trip this year.
The President, to be accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and several Cabinet members, will then proceed to the Czech Republic for a state visit on March 14 to 15.
The visit to the two European nations aims to strengthen the Philippines’ ties with them.
explore more areas of cooperation, and invite groups to invest in or expand their businesses the country, officials said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the trip to Germany was on the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It follows the visit of German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Manila last January.
In Berlin, the President will have a meeting with Scholz and is expected to discuss efforts to strengthen the ties between the counties. The Philippines and Germany, which formally established diplomatic relations in October 1954, will commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
Marcos will also witness the signing of government-to-government agreements, which include a joint declaration of intent on strengthening cooperation in maritime sector, which seeks to facilitate maritime trade and mobility of Philippine and German-owned commercial vessels.
Another agreement is on a cooperation program between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, which seeks to continue the two group’s partnership on technical and vocational education and training.
Marcos will also meet with the Filipino communities in Germany which is home to about 36,000 Filipinos including those working in health, manufacturing, and information technology.
The President will also meet with several business groups as the Philippines is also looking for increased labor tie-ups with the Europeans.
From Germany, Marcos will proceed to the Czech Republic for the state visit which was on the invitation of Czech President Petr Pavel.
It is also a return visit following Pavel’s visit to Manila in April 2023, and comes at a significant time as the Philippines and Czech just celebrated their 50th anniversary of relations last year.
In Prague, the President will meet with Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and the heads of the Czech Parliament — Senate President MiloÅ¡ VystrÄil and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
Marcos is also scheduled to attend a business forum and have meetings with business leaders interested in renewable energy, manufacturing, health care, aerospace, and innovation.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre said the President will also witness the signing of a joint communiqué on the establishment of labor consultation mechanisms.
Algabre said the Czech Republic is interested in inviting more Filipino workers, commending them for their talents, skills, good work ethics, and hospitable nature.
She said the Czech Republic has announced a yearly quota of at least 10,000 Filipinos who may enter their country for work starting May 2024.
There are around 7,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic.
The President is expected to meet with the Filipino community while in Prague.
Before leaving for Europe today, Marcos will meet with a high-level American trade and investment delegation led by United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in Malacañang.
Raimondo will also meet with Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and economic adviser Frederick Go in Malacañang.
The 22-man trade mission is a result of the President’s US visit last year, where American President Joe Biden made a commitment to send high-level trade and investment missions to the Philippines to explore more areas of possible cooperation.
