PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for Central Europe on Monday for a working visit to Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic.

In his predeparture speech at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President said his trip to Germany and the Czech Republic would seek to enhance trade and cooperation with the two countries.

"Building upon the visit of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in April 2023 and German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in January this year, my visit marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to continuously deepen bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation with Germany and the Czech Republic and indeed the world," he said.

TO EUROPE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos depart from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Monday, March 11, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

The visits are also significant as the Philippines just celebrated the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations with the Czech Republic last year and will commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Germany this year, he said.

The President designated Vice President Sara Duterte as caretaker from March 11 to 15, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier said.

The President will be in Berlin from March 11 to March 13 before heading for Prague for a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 14 to 15.

In Berlin, Marcos is set to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while in Prague, the President will have separate meetings with President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrcil and Chamber of Deputies President Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

The President will also meet with business leaders from the two countries to bolster trade and investment opportunities, and meet with the Filipino communities in Germany and the Czech Republic to relay to them his administration's programs for the overseas Filipinos.

It will be the Philippine leader's fifth and sixth foreign trip this year, and his 24th and 25th since coming to power in 2022.

In Berlin, Marcos and Scholz will witness the signing of several agreements, including one that seeks to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two nations, and another on technical skills and vocational education.

The President will also take the opportunity to tap Germany's expertise on renewable energy to aid the Philippines in its energy transition efforts and in various sectors such as manufacturing, health care, agriculture, aerospace, innovation and startups, IT-BPM and mineral processing.

In the Czech Republic, the President will witness the signing of a joint communique on the establishment of labor consultation mechanisms to ensure "the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers and provide a higher level of protection of their rights and welfare" will also be signed.

Other agreements are also being finalized by the two governments.

"We are eager to invite German and Czech businesses to consider the Philippines as a production hub for their products," he said. "I look forward to having productive discussions, fruitful collaboration, and memorable experiences that will further cement the enduring ties between the Philippines, and Germany and of course, the Czech Republic."

Marcos said he also hopes to increase people-to-people exchange, foster cultural understanding, and strengthen the bonds of historic friendship between the Philippines and Germany and the Czech Republic.

He is also set to meet with Filipino communities in Berlin and Prague, many of whom are overseas Filipino workers.

The President said he looked forward to meeting with the Filipino communities in Berlin and Prague to reaffirm his commitment to their welfare.

"It is important that as we enhance our labor cooperation with these countries, our highest priority remains the protection of the rights and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers," he added.

Over the weekend, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Natividad said Marcos' trip to Berlin will have a strong focus on scoring investment and business opportunities to boost the country's economy.

In an interview with the Radio Television Malacañang in Berlin over the weekend, Natividad said the two leaders would tackle expanded maritime trade, labor opportunities, climate change, and renewable energy during the visit.

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