President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the deepening partnership between the Philippines and Germany, highlighting expanded cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade, climate action, and labor during a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Malacañang.
Steinmeier’s visit marked the first time in more than 60 years that a German head of state has visited the Philippines, a milestone both leaders framed as a continuation of over seven decades of diplomatic relations between Manila and Berlin.
Marcos said the visit reflects Germany’s commitment to sustaining high-level engagement with the Philippines, following his own official trip to Berlin in 2024, the same year both countries marked 70 years of formal diplomatic ties.
During their bilateral meeting, Marcos said discussions covered a broad range of cooperation areas, including peace and development efforts, defense collaboration, maritime security, economic ties, renewable energy, climate action, and labor mobility.
He described the Philippines–Germany partnership as one that has moved beyond formal diplomacy into practical cooperation that directly supports national development priorities.
Marcos thanked Germany for its continued support for peace and development programs in the Philippines, particularly in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
On economic relations, the President noted Germany’s position as the Philippines’ largest trading and investment partner within the European Union, citing approximately US$5.5 billion in bilateral trade and over US$10 million in net foreign direct investments in 2025.
He also cited the presence of major German firms operating in the Philippines, including Siemens, Lufthansa Technik, Deutsche Bank, Bayer, and Bosch, which he said reflect growing investor confidence in the country.
Defense cooperation was also highlighted, with Germany participating as an observer in the Philippines’ Balikatan exercises since 2024, signaling closer security engagement between the two countries.
Marcos said Germany remains a key partner in promoting a rules-based international order and thanked Berlin for its consistent support of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the region.
On maritime cooperation, he acknowledged Germany’s assistance in strengthening the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), including the delivery of H145 twin-engine helicopters in 2019 and unmanned aerial systems in 2024.
The President also welcomed Germany’s backing of ongoing negotiations for a Philippines–European Union Free Trade Agreement, with the latest round held in Manila in May 2026.
People-to-people ties were likewise cited as a strong pillar of the relationship, with Marcos highlighting the more than 45,000 Filipinos working and living in Germany, many in healthcare, engineering, finance, and information technology sectors.
He said the Filipino community continues to play a key role not only in Germany’s labor market but also in strengthening cultural and social ties between the two countries.
Marcos also noted cooperation in technical and vocational education and training, as well as Germany’s continued support through development programs led by the German development agency GIZ.
He emphasized emerging opportunities in renewable energy cooperation, citing Germany’s technological strength and the Philippines’ natural resource base as a strong foundation for future joint projects.
As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines also expressed appreciation for Germany’s support for regional initiatives and its role as a development partner of the bloc, now marking a decade of engagement.
Marcos also conveyed Manila’s support for Germany’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, signaling further institutionalization of ties between Europe’s largest economy and Southeast Asia’s regional bloc.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global security developments, including tensions in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, underscoring shared concerns over stability and adherence to international law.
Marcos closed by expressing hope that President Steinmeier’s visit would reinforce what he described as a long-standing and evolving partnership between two nations that have maintained steady diplomatic ties for more than 70 years.
He said he hoped the German leader would return home with a deeper appreciation of the Philippines and renewed momentum to expand bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.