Geopolitics take center stage in PH-Germany policy talks
The Philippines and Germany held high-level discussions on escalating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, during their 6th Political Consultations on April 14 at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City.
The meeting, led by DFA Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Deena Joy D. Amatong and German Federal Foreign Office Director General for Asia and the Pacific Frank Hartmann, tackled a broad range of global and regional developments, reflecting growing concerns over security and stability across key regions.
Both sides exchanged views on developments in the Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea, Europe, and the Middle East, while also discussing the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, a DFA news release said.
Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Teresa T. Almojuela and German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke joined their respective delegations.
Beyond geopolitical flashpoints, the consultations also reviewed the state of bilateral relations, covering cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, climate action, migration of skilled workers, and consular affairs.
Germany remains the Philippines’ largest trading and investment partner within the European Union, and is home to an estimated 45,000 Filipinos. The two countries also maintain a defense cooperation agreement, with Germany participating as an observer in the annual Balikatan military exercises.
Berlin has likewise been a longstanding partner of ASEAN, serving as a Development Partner since 2016, and has consistently advocated for a rules-based international order.
The latest round of consultations builds on the 5th Political Consultations held in Manila in October 2022, as well as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s working visit to Germany in March 2024, underscoring steadily expanding ties between the two nations.
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