By Brian Campued
The Philippines and Germany reaffirmed their growing partnership as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Malacañang, highlighting the two countries’ shared commitment to peace, development, and a rules-based international order.
During a joint press conference Tuesday, Marcos recognized Germany’s continued assistance to development efforts in the Philippines and looked forward to continuing to enhance Manila’s partnership with Berlin in the years ahead.
He also expressed appreciation for Germany’s support for peace-building initiatives in Mindanao, swift conclusion of the Philippines-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), modernization of maritime and aviation capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as the Philippines’ efforts to uphold international law in the West Philippine Sea and the whole South China Sea.
“Germany is also an important partner and like-minded country in the Philippines’ efforts to promote the rule of law and the rules-based international order,” President Marcos Jr. said.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a Lease Agreement among the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation, and Lufthansa Technik Philippines, further boosting economic and aviation cooperation.
The deal provides for the use and development of a 157,000 square meter support, maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility within Clark International Airport.
President Marcos described Germany as the Philippines’ strong trade partner, serving as its largest trading and investment partner among EU member states, with total bilateral trade valued at around $5.5 billion and net foreign direct investments totaling around $10.26 million in 2025.
He likewise noted that Germany’s renewable energy technology and the Philippines’ natural resources make them natural partners in this sector.
Prior to the press conference, Marcos and Steinmeier held a bilateral meeting where they discussed cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade and investment, renewable energy, labor, and regional affairs.
“We also had an exchange of views on regional and international matters of mutual concern, including the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, in Europe, and in the Middle East,” the Chief Executive said.
President Steinmeier, for his part, noted that the Germany-Philippines bilateral relations are important in a world that is “based on common rules, cooperation, and trust.”
He also described the Philippines as one of Germany’s like-minded partners when it comes to ensuring global and regional peace, stability, and order; bolstering cooperation between ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Germany and the European Union; and connecting economies, fighting climate change, and bringing together their peoples through migration of skilled labor.
He also expressed concern about the tense situation in the West Philippine Sea as the Indo-Pacific region remains “one of the most economically dynamic regions of the world.”
“And if incidents occur in that part of the world, that is also cause for great concern in Europe—because we in Europe have, for decades now too, benefited from the international law of the sea, and violations of the international law of the sea endanger the freedom of navigation,” he said.
Steinmeier likewise conveyed Germany’s optimism for the speedy conclusion of the FTA between the EU and the Philippines.
“We hope that that agreement can be concluded speedily and that our economic exchange will continue to intensify so that we will see more European and in particular more German investments in the Philippines,” he said.
PH open to future visiting forces agreement with Germany
Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. expressed openness to the possibility of a future Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) arrangement between the Philippines and Germany, citing the importance of strengthening partnerships amid global geopolitical uncertainties.
“If we came to an agreement and we feel that it is time to have it, the Philippines would certainly entertain that possibility very warmly,” the President said.
He noted that while such an arrangement may still be “a long way off,” the Philippines and Germany are already increasing engagements in military, defense, and security cooperation.
“With the volatility that is happening in the geopolitical world right now, the best path to stability is to have partnerships, to have a wide base of alliances. Because not any one country can now influence or change or direct the way the world is working,” he said.
Steinmeier’s visit marks a key moment in the more than seven decades of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany, which were established on Oct. 8, 1954.
The last visit by a German president to the Philippines was in 1963. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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