Source: Philippine Coast Guard
Billions in WPS funding, support obtained by PBBM in Germany, Czech Republic visit – Speaker Romualdez
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on his successful trip to Germany and the Czech Republic that will benefit the Philippines.
According to Romualdez, the leaders of Germany and the Czech Republic also expressed support for the Philippines on the issue of the West Philippine Sea and promised a billion dollar investment after talking to President Marcos.
“The immensely beneficial outcomes of President Marcos’ trip to Germany and the Czech Republic starkly demonstrates the crucial rule of personal interaction between leaders of nations in enhancing bilateral relations and advancing national interest,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of Congress with more than 300 strong congressmen.
Speaker Romualdez said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Czech Republic President Petr Pavel both expressed support for the Philippines’ position that the rules-based order, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), should prevail in the dispute of territory in the West Philippine Sea.
“Aside from the official statements issued, these personal meetings between leaders serve as powerful symbols of cooperation and goodwill, sending a strong and unmistakable signal to domestic audiences and the international community alike their solid commitment to advance the common interests of their countries,” said Speaker Romualdez.
In the meeting between Chancellor Scholz and President Marcos, the importance of maintaining peace and strengthening maritime security, climate change, labor, trade and investment and the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipinos in Germany, were also discussed.
The amount of investment obtained by President Marcos for the Philippines reached USD4 billion or equivalent to P220 billion which is covered by no different agreement.
In the Czech Republic, President Marcos met with President Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and the leaders of the Czech Parliament, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
Aside from the WPS issue, the meeting also discussed strengthening trade and investment, the defense sector, agriculture, renewable energy, transport, and people-to-people exchanges.
Speaker Romualdez said President Marcos told businessmen in the Czech Republic to invest in the IT-BPM sector, electronics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, automotive/electric vehicle manufacturing, and others.
