President eyes several agreements during visits to Germany, Czech Republic

THE Philippines is expected to sign several agreements, including maritime and labor cooperation, with Germany and the Czech Republic when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the two countries next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

During a pre-departure briefing, DFA Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre said the President and first lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos were invited by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Czech President Petr Pavel for a working visit to Berlin and a state visit to Prague from March 11 to 15.

Algabre said that aside from meeting high-ranking officials, Marcos will attend business forums in both countries to invite prominent German and Czech business leaders to boost their presence in the Philippines.

“During the President’s time in Germany and the Czech Republic, the President will focus on bolstering trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, inviting German and Czech companies to increase their presence in the country,” Algabre said.

She said some German and Czech companies are interested in investing in renewable energy, manufacturing, health care, aerospace and innovation.

While in Germany from March 12 to 13, Marcos will witness the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector.

Algabre said the JDI, which will be signed by both countries’ transportation agencies, seeks to facilitate the maritime trade and mobility of Philippine- and German-owned commercial vessels.

“You know very well that onethird of the seafarers around the world are Filipinos and a robust shipping industry in the Philippines will be good for the employment of Filipino seafarers,” she said.

A cooperation program between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) will also be signed.

“The cooperation program seeks to continue Tesda and BIBB’s partnership on technical and vocational education and training or TVET,” Algabre said.

While in Prague, the President will meet Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrcil, and the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

Marcos’ trip to the two Central European nations follows the visits to Manila of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in April last year and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock last January.

Marcos will also witness the signing of a joint communiqué that will set up a consultation mechanism to enhance cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic for the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers.

“There are also other agreements in the pipeline that we are closely working on with the Czech side,” Algabre added.

The Czech Republic also wants to entice more skilled and professional Filipinos to work in that country.

“They have announced a yearly quota for Filipinos starting this May of 10,000 Filipinos who may enter the Czech Republic for work,” Algabre said.

There are 7,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic.

European countries prefer Filipino workers because of their work ethic, Algabre said.

The countries are particularly interested in hiring Filipinos for their tourism sector.

Algabre said Marcos will also meet with the Filipino communities in Germany and the Czech Republic.

The Philippines will commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Germany this year.

Trade with Germany reached $3.91 billion, with exports valued at $2.28 billion and imports at $1.63 billion.

In 2022, Germany was the Philippines 12th trading partner, 10th market export and 15th import supplier.

The Philippines and the Czech Republic established formal diplomatic relations on Oct. 5, 1973.

The Czech Republic ranked as the Philippines’ 39th trading partner, 28th export market, and 47th import supplier last year, with bilateral trade totaling $303.21 million.