Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Lord Mayor of Essen Thomas Kufen (photo by Berlin PE)
Philippine Ambassador to Germany, Theresa Dizon-De Vega called on the Lord Mayor of the City of Essen, Honorable Thomas Kufen at the Rathaus (City Hall) of the Essen on 9 March 2020.
Mayor Kufen, one of the youngest local executives in Germany, has occupied the office of Mayor since 2015 and belongs to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Party. Prior to serving as Lord Mayor of Essen, Mr. Kufen was the Commissioner for Integration in the State of North Rhine Westphalia.
During the call, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Mayor Kufen discussed ways to accelerate Philippine-Germany engagement in Essen, home to nearly 600,000 people and the ninth largest city in Germany. There are an estimated over 1,000 Filipino nationals residing the city which prides itself on being the Energy Capital of Germany.
Among the possible initiatives discussed with Mayor Kufen is the possible holding of a Philippine Day in Essen to further promote understanding and inclusiveness, matters very close to the heart of the Mayor. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise cited the reputation of Essen for both the renewable energy sector, education, and the arts, three other areas where cooperation between the Philippines and Germany could be further promoted. She also extended an invitation to the Mayor to grace Filipino Cultural and Religious events in the city with his presence.
Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise thanked the Lord Mayor for the local government’s support in the smooth opening of a Philippine Honorary Consulate in Essen with Mr. Joachim Rumstadt as the new Honorary Consul. Ms. Mila Wandelt of the Philippine Honorary Consulate accompanied the Ambassador during the courtesy call.
Mayor Kufen cited the Filipinos in Essen and in Germany as a whole as being a model migrant community. END
