Historic meeting
President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino remembered two historical dates while in Berlin.
“Chancellor Merkel, our meeting today was indeed historic,” said Benigno Aquino, President of the Philippines, while in Berlin in September. His state visit commemorated two historical dates. It is 60 years since Germany and the Philippines established diplomatic relations and 25 years since the President’s mother, Corazon Aquino, visited the Federal Republic. In 1986 she replaced dictator Marcos as president and steered the country down the path to democracy. “Then as now, Germany and the Philippines have stood side by side in upholding our shared values and principles – our adherence to democracy, human rights, inclusive growth and development, and the rule of law,” Benigno Aquino stated in Berlin. Merkel praised the economic and social progress made by the Philippines. She encouraged Aquino to press ahead with forging contacts with German industry and to work towards concluding a free-trade agreement with the European Union. During the visit, an agreement was signed on social security, as was a memorandum of understanding on technological and vocational education and training. “We believe that the Philippines’ economic resurgence and Germany’s economic strength can only further expand the horizon of opportunities for our peoples,” said Aquino.
