Secretary Locsin Unveils New Embassy Building in Berlin

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. uts the ribbon, assisted by (from left) Ambassador Ina Lepel, Chargé d'Affaires Lillibeth V. Pono, Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and former Ambassador to Germany Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek. (Berlin PE photo)

BERLIN 21 February 2019 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. inaugurated the new chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin located at Luisenstrasse 16, 10117 Berlin-Mitte, not too far from the German capital's iconic Brandenburg Tor on 18 February 2019.

Joining him in the ribbon-cutting were Undersecretary for Administration and Ambassador-designate to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Chargé d'Affaires Lillibeth V. Pono, and former and incumbent Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials who played a role in the completion of the building project.

Among them were former ambassadors to Germany Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek and Ma. Cleofe Natividad, who is the country’s envoy to Austria, and former Undersecretary for Administration Linglingay Lacanlale, who is now Ambassador to Argentina. Also present were Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Ma. Amelita Aquino, and Consul General to Frankfurt Evelyn Austria-Garcia.

The highlight of the inauguration was the Secretary's address entitled "Independent and Sovereign: The Foreign Policy of the Philippines in a Changing Global Order" before a distinguished gathering of more than 60 guests invited by the embassy. Present were ambassadors and other diplomats from other ASEAN and key Asia Pacific countries, and representatives of the host government, business and civil society. Filipino Community representatives were likewise present.

Before the ceremony, the Secretary had a brief exchange with head of the Asia-Pacific Directorate of the Federal Foreign Office Ambassador Ina Lepel, who offered her congratulations on the new chancery.

After the ceremony, the audience was treated to musical performances by Filipino classical singer Jose Mari Rubio and pianist Abellardo Galang II serenaded the audience, and to contemporary Filipino food by Ayan restaurant.

The new chancery is an eight-story property developed on a turnkey basis by Zielconcept GmbH and includes a large cultural space and library to serve as a hub for the Embassy's public and cultural diplomacy programs. END

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. presents his views on an independent and sovereign foreign policy. (Berlin PE photo)

For more information, visit www.berlinpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassy.de or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGermany.