Philippines and Germany Discuss Peace, Security and Development in 3rd Political Consultations in Manila
DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo leads the Philippine delegation to the 3rd PH-Germany Political Consultations with the German delegation led by the Federal Foreign Office Director-General for Asia and the Pacific Ina Lepel to discuss issues of mutual concern.
01 December 2017 MANILA — The Philippines and Germany successfully held their 3rd Political Consultations in Manila on November 24. Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and German Federal Foreign Office Director General for Asia and the Pacific Ina Lepel led their respective delegations in discussing political and economic issues to further deepen and strengthen the more than six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the discussions, Undersecretary Manalo highlighted the achievements of the Philippine Government in its peace negotiations with the MILF and the MNLF, and the inter-agency efforts towards the recovery, restoration and rehabilitation of Marawi after winning the fight against the Maute Terrorist Group in Mindanao. He also cited bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The German delegation assured the Philippines of their continuing support for the peace and security efforts in Mindanao, including support for the country’s programs on disaster risk mitigation and disaster relief, and climate change and biodiversity, through technical and financial cooperation.
Through the German delegation, Undersecretary Manalo invited Germany’s government and businesses to increase its investments in the Philippines in view of the Government’s economic performance and socio-economic agenda, particularly in infrastructure development, or the Build, Build, Build Program. The German delegation acknowledged the resolution of the Fraport case and considered it as a big breakthrough which would positively impact investment relations with the Philippines.
The delegations also discussed issues on labor, such as the health care employment partnership program and cooperation on technical and vocational education training, and on regional and multilateral developments, particularly in the ASEAN and EU.
The next political consultations will be held in Germany after two years. END
German FFO Director-General Ina Lepel gives a token of appreciation to Undersecretary Enrique A. Manalo for successfully hosting the 3rd PH-Germany Political Consultations.