President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the need for cooperation between developed and developing countries to combat the destructive effects of climate change, citing the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
During a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following their meeting, President Aquino emphasized the shared determination of both nations to address the adverse impacts of climate change.
“This commitment to upholding the welfare of peoples is also reflected in our shared determination to address the worsening effects of climate change,” President Aquino said.
“Typhoon Haiyan showed that, now more than ever, the cooperation between developed and developing nations is an imperative,” said the President, whose visit to Berlin was part of his fourth and last stop of a European tour.
President Aquino further stated that the humanitarian assistance and disaster response are essential components of the two nations’ cooperation.
During their meeting, the President said that he and Chancellor Merkel discussed “how our partnership can be enhanced through building climate-resilient communities.”
He also thanked Germany for its generous assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan that hit the country in November 2013 and left thousands of people dead in Eastern Visayas.
“As we work to build back better, Germany continues to extend its generous assistance to my people,” President Aquino said.
“On behalf of my countrymen, I thank the Federal Republic of Germany once more for being a true friend to our people. Indeed, your nation’s clear expression of solidarity with my countrymen will always be remembered and appreciated,” he said.
President arrived in Germany on Friday for the last leg of his four-nation tour in Europe and met with top German officials and business executives.
The President’s plane touched down at the Berlin Tegel Airport at 10:45 a.m. (4:45 p.m. Manila time Friday) and motored to the Federal Chancellery, the official residence of Germany’s Chancellor, where arrival honors were afforded to him.
The President was welcomed by German Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, and had working lunch afterwards. Aquino and Merkel also conducted a joint press conference.
Later in the day, the President received German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a courtesy call, followed by a meeting with German Federal President Joachim Gauck at the Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of Germany’s Federal President.
President Aquino also sat down with key officials of SAP SE, which provides business management software to more than 261,000 customers in 190 countries. It is the world’s third largest software company next to Microsoft and Oracle.
From the business meetings, the President delivered a speech at the Policy Forum organized with Koerber Stiftung (or Koerber Foundation) and Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA).
The Koerber Foundation, which was established in 1959, is known for its regular conduct of dialogues, project grants and award programs for the promotion of German and European foreign policy, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, in the fields of education, science, civil welfare and music.
The Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business voices the concerns of German businesses to policy-makers in Germany and the Asia-Pacific region through summits and country visit exchanges.
The President also witnessed the ceremonial signing of the Supply and Install Agreement for QualiMed Projects between Mercado General Hospital, Inc. (MGHI) and Siemens, Inc. Philippines.
President Aquino then met the Filipino community in Berlin.PND
