27 March 2014 – German Minister of State Maria Böhmer called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario today, as part of the Minister’s three-day visit to the Philippines. 

Taking place from March 26 to 28, this is Minister Böhmer’s first visit to the Philippines. The Philippines is the third country she is visiting since assuming the position of Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office last December.

The visit takes place as the Philippines and Germany prepare to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and as the Philippines commemorates the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). Germany has supported the peace process through assistance in development projects.

Minister Böhmer will witness the historic signing of the CAB.

Secretary Del Rosario and Minister Böhmer noted with satisfaction the burgeoning bilateral political and economic relations between their two countries.  Germany is the Philippines’ eighth top trading partner in the world and the number one in Europe with US$ 4.5 billion or PhP 203 billion in total trade in 2013.

The two officials also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to bilateral engagement and cooperation not only in the political field but also in areas such as labor, people-to-people exchanges, investments, and the maritime sector. Germany controls more than 40% of the world market in container shipping, over 50% of which is manned by Filipino seafarers. Germany has been supportive of the Philippines’ efforts to comply with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.

Secretary Del Rosario likewise expressed gratitude to Germany for its humanitarian assistance of over 176 million euros (close to PhP 11 billion), noting that 144 million euros (PhP 8.7 billion) was sourced from private donations.

On labor cooperation, both sides agreed to promote the smooth implementation of the Agreement on the Deployment of Philippine Healthcare Professionals.

On the West Philippine Sea Issue, Minister Böhmer echoed the statements made by former Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on his visit to the Philippines in February 2013, reiterating Germany’s support for a rules-based approach and underscoring the importance of peaceful resolution of the disputes.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany were formally established on 8 October 1954. END