Enhanced security alliance transformed Germany-Philippines diplomatic ties. Early this month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ historical visit in Manila is part of Germany’s strengthened relations with the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region.
On October 8, 1954, formal diplomatic ties were established between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of the Philippines. Through the years, this strengthened relations is more than trading partnerships, cultural exchanges, and political partnerships. There is a significant number of nationals deployed in both sides, the interracial marriages including the 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
Germany’s Defense Minister Pistorius stated that, “Germany is ready to work with the Philippines.” He is a member of the German government, highest-ranking superior of all soldiers, commander in chief of the armed forces, and head of the Bundeswehr administration. This is the first visit of a current German defense minister in the Philippines, the last stop of his Indo-Pacific trip after Hawaii and South Korea.
German Ambassador Andreas Pffafernoschke in Manila stated in his twitter that “this visit will further strengthen (Germany-Philippines) partnership in security cooperation.”
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the closer bilateral ties between the Philippines and Germany during his meeting with German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius earlier in August 2024. Minister Pistorius conveyed that Germany is ready to further collaborate with the Philippines.
President Marcos Jr. renewed vibrant ties between Germany and the Philippines by underscoring the closer alliance and partnership to many aspects. He acknowledged the meeting of the German Defense Minister Pistorius and the Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro, “Thank you, and I am very happy you have a chance to meet with Secretary Gilbert.”
Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was also present during the meeting. German Defense Minister Pistorius’ visit to the Republic of the Philippines is part of the Federal Republic of Germany’s broader alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.
West Philippine Sea
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. articulated the valuable impact of partnerships among nations who address geopolitical issues. He welcomed Western nations, that of Germany, in forging unity against foreign encroachment in the disputed waters. “Diplomacy may not be perfectly predictable, countries must try all possible means,” he asserted. “But so, again, the partnerships are important, the stability, all, in our case, the South China Sea, the West Philippine Sea, as we refer to it,” Philippine President Marcos Jr. told German Defense Minister Pistorius.
On July 12, 2016, the Philippines won the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. The late and former Philippine Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario then filed the case with the People’s Republic of China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2014, during the time, of then, the late Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III.
In a statement during the courtesy call of German Defense Pistorius to Malacañang Palace, Philippine President Marcos Jr. stated:
In your case, Central Eastern Europe, really depends on a very solid front, and that front represents, again, international law, and it must be made very clear to all, both allies and adversaries, that this is the basis of all that we do, and it’s easily understandable, easily appreciated by I think all parties, and everything outside of that will be resisted, and that’s all we can do.
Every effort has its place, and we are glad that Germany has come to join. It is remarkable for us to see, but now we have a Canadian vessel that’s come here to visit, we have French vessels joining in, and Germany was an observer during the last exercises.
For his part, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed that, “standing together to show unity for peace is important, underscoring the necessity and clarity of security, which link the two nations with each other.
And I couldn’t agree more with your assessment regarding standing together for peace and security, and for our interests. That is the reason why we are engaging.
As I always mentioned during my trip here to the Indo-Pacific, presence matters, and presence is key to show China, or maybe others in the future, that we stand together. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Philippines, Europe, India, or whoever it is.
Germany, Philippines Commitment
Earlier this year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the Federal Republic of Germany as both nations reaffirmed their commitment in promoting the rules-based international order, respect for international law, and UNCLOS to contribute broader to the global community.
The meeting between Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is also the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines.
In a conjoint statement, German Chancellor Scholz stated that:
This is about adhering to international law, ensuring the freedom of navigation. We are working to ensure that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is being adhered to by all its parties.
We want to do whatever we can to help settle tensions in a peaceful manner. Therefore, ASEAN’s negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea is therefore of the utmost importance, de-escalation must always be our priority.
We have the UNCLOS, we have an arbitral tribunal which is in Hamburg. Important judgments have been passed over the course of the year. I believe it to be very important that each and every one adheres to the legislation in place.
On the other hand, Philippine President Marcos Jr. described his meeting as a “productive and insightful” bilateral meeting. The dialogue was centered to the “importance of advancing peace and development” in the Philippines, Marcos Jr. said.
As like-minded partners, we reaffirmed our commitment promoting the rules-based international order, extending our commitment beyond our own regions to contribute to the broader global community.
Our shared commitment to international law strengthens our partnership and creates a favorable atmosphere for working together on global issues.
I reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to addressing issues through dialogue and consultation, yet the Philippines, like any sovereign state, will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty, its sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, in accordance with international law.
Before concluding his speech, the President assured Scholz of the Philippines’ continued support on Ukraine issues as he reiterated the country’s call on concerned parties to seek a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Conclusion
This diplomatic alliance between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of the Philippines is enshrined into a colorful friendship of two allies who both aspired for peace and international order based on each other’s national interests to the international community. Both nations are home to many German and Filipino nationals who have actively strengthened people-to-people relations subsumed to the political alliances. Moreover, economic, social, religion, and even modern passions to science, technology, innovation are simply overarching thematic themes under the “vibrant ties” of Germany-Philippines bilateral relations.
An alliance to a NATO member country with an ASEAN claimant member to the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) is something to look forward to when it comes to the rule of law and the outcome of the Arbitral Award in July 2016, on the part of the Philippines. True to “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit,” “Unity and Justice and Freedom” are the very core essence of these partnerships in the global stage when the world is faced with complexity and differences.
As a peace advocate, Germany’s gesture to the Philippines is certainly in its higher heights, especially when it comes to defense alliance. This burgeoning friendship is a testament that borders, near or far, are beyond conditional relations, it showcases two opposite cultures can be united, so when this happens, why not with others especially those who are closer to the Philippine archipelago and exclusive economic zone.
