Marcos departs for Germany, Czech Republic

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday left for Berlin, Germany for a working visit that aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. After Germany, he will proceed to Prague, Czech Republic, for a state visit. 

The PR001 carrying Marcos and the entire Philippine delegation departed Villamor Air Base past 3 p.m. 

Marcos' visit to Berlin is upon the invitation of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while Czech Republic President Petr Pavel invited him to visit Prague.

"Building upon the visit of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in April 2023 and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in January this year, my visit marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to continuously deepen  bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation with Germany and the Czech Republic and indeed the world," Marcos said in his departure speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. 

The Philippines and Germany will commemorate their 70th bilateral relations this year while the diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic will commemorate its 50th anniversary since it was established in October 5, 1973.         

Both Germany and Czech Republic serve as a second home to thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

"I look forward also to meeting with, of course, our kababayans in Berlin and Prague to reaffirm my commitment to their welfare and to explore ways of harnessing their talents for the betterment of our nation," Marcos said. 

"It is important that as we enhance our labor cooperation with these countries, our highest priority remains the protection of the rights and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers," he added. 

Marcos also said he is looking forward to increase people-to-people exchange, foster cultural understanding, and strengthen the bonds of historic friendship between the Philippines and Germany and the Czech Republic.

"During our time in Germany and the Czech Republic, we will underscore our unwavering commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries promoting the rules-based international order, which serves as the cornerstone of global peace and of stability," Marcos said. 

Vice President Sara Duterte is the country’s caretaker while the President is abroad, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil. 

Meetings, signings

In Berlin, Marcos will meet with Chancellor Scholz where several agreements will be signed, among them the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Strengthening Maritime Cooperation and the Cooperation Programme between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). 

Meanwhile, in his visit to Prague, Marcos will meet four constitutional heads of government in the Czech Republic such as President Pavel and Prime Minister Fiala, and the heads of the Czech Parliament, namely Senate President Miloš Vystrcil and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marketa Pekarova Adamova.    

Marcos said the Philippines and the Czech Republic will be signing a Joint Communique on the establishment of labor consultation mechanisms, which aims to elevate cooperation between the two countries "for the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers and provide a higher level of protection of their rights and welfare."

He added that there are other agreements in the pipeline that are being worked on by the governments of the Philippines and the Czech Republic.   

Marcos also underscored the Philippine government's efforts to focus on expanding economic cooperation with Germany and the Czech Republic, "opening up more avenues for mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities" with the two countries. 

He also said the Philippines will tap Germany’s expertise on renewable energy to assist the country in the energy transition efforts and in various sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, aerospace, innovation and startups, IT-BPM and mineral processing. 

He added the government will also work closely with the Czech Republic to harness its expertise on agriculture, manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry, transportation, renewable energy, space and aerospace to develop Philippines’ own industries.

"We are eager to invite German and Czech businesses to consider the Philippines as a production hub for their products," Marcos said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News