Philippines open to VFA with Germany

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Germany yesterday emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea, with both countries open to forging a visiting forces deal.

Noting that alliances are crucial in an increasingly interconnected and volatile environment, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is in the Philippines for a three-day state visit, said the “tense” situation in the South China Sea remains a cause for concern.

At a joint press conference at Malacañang following a bilateral meeting with Steinmeier, President Marcos noted that forming partnerships is necessary for a country to be stable, strong and agile.

“We probably, in reality, we’re still a long way off of that. But we are actually increasing our engagements, especially in the military and in the defense and the security areas. And perhaps when the time comes, certainly that would be something that the Philippines will be very, very open to. I cannot see any disadvantage to that,” Marcos said.

“With the volatility that is happening in the geopolitical world right now, the best path to stability is to have partnerships, is to have a wide base of alliances,” he said.

Steinmeier said he and Marcos agreed that peace and security could provide for greater prosperity “in a world that is based on common rules, cooperation and trust.”
“However, that same world has come under pressure these days and for that reason too we have to move closer together in order to identify common answers to the challenges these days,” the German president said.

The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with its treaty ally the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and France. The agreements allow the Philippines to conduct joint military exercises and activities with other countries to boost its defense capabilities.

The Indo-Pacific, specifically Southeast Asia, is one of the most economically dynamic regions of the world, Steinmeier noted, and that Europe has benefited from the international law of the sea and violations against it endanger freedom of navigation.
“In particular, export-oriented middle powers like the Philippines and Germany rely on functioning cooperation and reliability. We therefore have to stand up together to defend the rules-based global order,” Steinmeier said.

Steinmeier wished Marcos success in his chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and assured him of Germany’s support for key projects, including the negotiations for the South China Sea code of conduct and a solution for the Myanmar civil war.

Free trade

Germany also expressed hope that talks between the Philippines and the European Union on the proposed free trade deal would be completed swiftly.

“Prosperity and security in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific are closely linked and we in our regions know how important respectful international law is. Mr. President, in a global environment that is undergoing major transformation, countries that share similar interests... have to cooperate ever closer,” Steinmeier said.

He noted that the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has roughly 300 member-companies, among them companies from the pharmaceutical, banking, insurance, logistics and aviation sectors.
The sixth round of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the Philippines and the EU was held from May 18 to 22 in Manila.

‘Worst sin’

Marcos also gave assurance that curbing corruption is a priority of his administration.
“As serious as it can get,” the President said when asked by a German journalist how serious is the fight against corruption in the Philippines. 
“Because what they have taken is not my money or your money or a company’s money. It’s the money from the people. And that is the worst sin of all, as far as I’m concerned. It’s the worst form of corruption as far as I’m concerned,” he stressed.

Before their press conference, Marcos and Steinmeier witnessed the signing of a lease deal for the use and development of a 157,000-square-meter maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the Clark International Airport. The parties of the agreement are the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. and Lufthansa Technik Philippines. — Pia Lee-Brago