Viewing category: Political

Philippines and Germany Exchange Instruments of Ratification on the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation

January 19, 2016

The Philippines and Germany exchanged the original Instruments of Ratification of the renegotiated Philippines – Germany Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation on 18 December 2015, paving the way for the potential entry of more German investments in the country. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Maria Cleofe Natividad represented the Philippines in the ceremony, with German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski heading the German side.

The two countries renegotiated the Agreement with a view to strengthening bilateral trade and investments, deepening economic relations and cooperation in the field of taxation, and in order to better enforce domestic laws, reduce tax evasion and promote technology transfer.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima signed the renegotiated Agreement on behalf of the Philippine Government on 09 September 2013 in Berlin, Germany.

The entry into force of the renegotiated Agreement terminates the previous Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation concluded by the Philippines and Germany in 1983.

Germany is an important and strategic partner of the Philippines and remains to be the country’s top trading partner in Europe. It ranks as the 9^th major trading partner of the Philippines worldwide. Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to USD$5.346 billion in 2014.

Berlin PE commemorates 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

September 15, 2015

Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, together with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, commemorated the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a flag raising ceremony and brunch at the Bulwagang Rizal of the Embassy.

Ambassador Sta. Maria-Thomeczek in a “groupie” with the officers and staff of Berlin PE

Fr. Jun de Ocampo, chaplain of the Filipino Community in Berlin started the ceremony with the invocation prayer for the Filipino nation. Ambassador Sta. Maria-Thomeczek delivered a short message emphasizing public service and heroism before Independence Day speeches from President Benigno S. Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario were read. Shortly after, brunch was shared between the Embassy officers and staff, Fr. De Ocampo and Mr. Gerhard and Mrs. Lulu Müller of the Knights and Ladies for Rizal.

PH and Germany Strenghten Ties in 2nd Political Consultations in Berlin

June 17, 2015

The Philippines and Germany agreed to strengthen existing ties and pursue further avenues for cooperation in trade, development cooperation, climate change, and renewable energy on Tuesday, 16 June in Berlin, Germany in their second bilateral political consultations.

Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs Evan P. Garcia led the Philippine delegation, which consisted of representatives from coordinate Philippine agencies, while Ambassador Clemens von Goetze, Director General for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Near and Middle East Office of the German Foreign Ministry led the German side.

There was a substantive exchange of views on bilateral, regional and global concerns. The discussion also focused on how to further strengthen ties in trade and investments, directions to improve labor cooperation by streamlining the implementation of the Triple Win Project ( Filipino nurses for German hospitals) , furthering development cooperation through the promotion of dual technical-vocational education and training (TVET) in the Philippines, and pursuit of programs to respond to climate change/ environment issues.

Prospects for cooperation in the areas of energy, fisheries and agriculture to help poverty reduction were also discussed. Elevating bilateral trade from its current modest level of USD 5.3 billion was given special emphasis by the two sides. The consultations also formally announced the forthcoming German Asia-Pacific Business Association business mission to the Philippines in October to be led by Parliamentary State Secretary Brigitte Zypries of the Ministry of Economics and Energy. Focus of the mission will be the energy sector.

The meeting also touched on the Philippines’ priorities for the ASEAN Integration and the progress of select political and economic developments, such as the Bangsamoro and the 2016 elections.

The inaugural Philippines-Germany political consultations took place on 17 October 2013 in Manila which led to the successful celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of PH-Germany bilateral diplomatic relations in October 2014. The second meeting this 16th of June followed a series of high-level exchanges between officials of both countries, most prominent of which was the President’s visit to Berlin in September 2014.

Germany is the Philippines’ biggest European trade partner and among the country’s biggest ODA partners. The meeting this year coincided with Germany’s presidency of the G7, which climaxed in the recent Leaders’ Summit from 7 to 8 June 2015.

Virtouso Pianist Cecile Licad Highlights Celebrations of the 117th PH Independence in Berlin

June 7, 2015

Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, together with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, celebrated the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a concert featuring concert pianist Cecile Licad and a reception at the Palaisaal of the renowned Hotel Adlon Kempinski.

In her speech, Ambassador Sta. Maria-Thomeczek noted the enduring friendship between Germany and the Philippines and the shared commitment towards better bilateral relations, “It is in the spirit of progress, solidarity and adherence to the rule of law that we look at 60 years of good diplomatic relations with Germany. The Philippines and Germany have been pursuing a partnership among equals.”

In his response, Ambassador Peter Prügel of the Federal Foreign Office also spoke about the growing robustness of the bilateral relations and especially the successful celebration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, highlighted by the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III in September 2014.

Virtuoso pianist Ms. Cecile Licad performed a one hour program which included works by Frederic Chopin, Edward Macdowell, Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Francisco Buencamino, her great grand uncle. An immensely impressed audience clamored for a zugabe (encore) to which the artist willingly obliged.

An art exhibit showcasing winning entries from Kunst Pilipino & Kunsthaus and the Essen Philippine Honorary Consulate’s 2015 Art Contest, “Quo Vadis OF?” focused on manifestations of the lives, struggles, sacrifices and contributions of Overseas Filipino workers. The exhibit also featured works by Filipino artist Mr. Aris Bagtas.