Bongbong Marcos to visit Germany in March

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that he would visit Germany in March this year.

Marcos made the announcement during the courtesy call of German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at Malacañang Palace.

''We have been in contact with one another over the past few months simply because we have been trying to arrange a visit to Germany. And I think we finally have managed, with your embassy’s staff, we’ve been driving them a little crazy,'' Marcos said.

''We keep moving things because things have been coming up. But I think we have come down on the March 12th, the March 12 date. So I can commit to that now,'' he added.

He is optimistic that after his visit to Germany, a lot of things between the two countries will develop.

''I’m sure that, after the visit to Berlin, that many things will develop. We will be requiring your presence here more and more…'' Marcos said.

Marcos has made 19 foreign trips since assuming the presidency on June 30, 2022. 

He visited Indonesia and Singapore, attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and participated in the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia in 2022. Marcos also visited Thailand in 2022 for the APEC Summit and went to Brussels, Belgium, for the EU-ASEAN Summit.

The President went to Singapore the second time during that year when he watched the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Malacañang defended Marcos' attendance at the racing event, saying he still performed his duties as Chief Executive.

Meanwhile, his first trip in 2023 was his state visit to China, despite rising COVID-19 cases in the country in January. The President also traveled to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum and had an official visit to Tokyo, Japan.

Marcos also had an official visit to the United States in May, and a week after that, he participated in the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

Marcos also attended the coronation of King Charles III in London. 

He also had a second visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, for the ASEAN Summit.

The President also made a state visit to Malaysia, visited Singapore for a speaking engagement at the 10th Asian Conference, and participated in the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He also had a three-leg trip in the US as he attended the APEC Summit in San Francisco, California, and had working visits in Los Angeles, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Marcos' last trip for 2023 was to Tokyo, Japan, last December, for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation.

These trips drew criticism, but the President said his foreign travels would help attract more investments for the country. — RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News