The Philippines is open to the possibility of having a Visiting Forces Agreement with Germany as part of its plan to expand its security and defense relationships in the middle of changing geopolitical situations.

In an ambush interview after a bilateral meeting with visiting German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said that the government is open to discussions with Germany, especially in the fields of military, defense and security.

“Why not? We are probably, in reality, we’re still a long way off of that. But we are actually increasing our engagements, especially in the military and in the defense and the security areas,” the President said.

Marcos said that even if there are no immediate plans for a Visiting Forces Agreement with Germany, the Philippines will study this option.

“With the volatility that is happening in the geopolitical world right now, the best path to stability is to have partnerships, to have a wide base of alliances. Because not any one country can now influence or change or direct the way the world is working,” said Marcos.

''The world is so deeply interconnected, as we have always seen. Covid I think was the first illustration of that in a very real sense. How quickly the world will react or will begin to stutter and sputter when there is a problem such as that,” he added.

Steinmeier conveyed his sympathies to the Filipinos affected by the powerful earthquake in Mindanao.

“Many Germans, including me, were deeply saddened by the images of this severe earthquake in the south of your country,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with all those who lost relatives or their livelihoods in this natural disaster,” he added.

Steinmeier said it is a great honor to be in the country and thanked President Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos for their hospitality.

Steinmeier also spoke about Wilhelmsfeld, Germany — fondly known among Filipinos as “Noli Village” — where Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal lived while writing parts of his celebrated novel Noli Me Tangere.

“It was there exactly 140 years ago that he completed Noli Me Tángere. A magnificent work that described your nation’s struggle for freedom and self-determination. Jose Rizal’s execution at the age of 35 did not mark the end of Filipinos’ long fight against colonialism,” said Steinmeier. PHS-Presidential News Desk