Interview with Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
March 9, 2024
Ambassador Irene Susan Natividad of the Philippine Embassy in Germany shares her valuable insights on the upcoming Working Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Berlin, highlighting this as an opportune time for the country to restrengthen strategic partnerships with the European nation in various areas of mutual cooperation, which has been thriving for the past 70 years.
In an interview with RTVM, the Ambassador considers the visit as a reaffirmation of the Philippines’ diverse relation with Germany in terms of creating a more brighter and promising future for both countries anchored in peace and progress.
“I think the key to any bilateral relation is mutual or shared interest and values. So that we have several with that can complement each other. Commitment to a rules-based international order is one; strengthening partnerships on climate issues. Development cooperation is another. Labor is also another sector where Germany and the Philippines share the importance of this sector to the relations,” the Ambassador conveys, noting this as the first visit of a Philippine President after 10 years.
Ambassador Natividad states that the President is expected to engage in a fruitful discussion with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to tackle important matters that concern both nations. These include economic engagements, addressing climate change, maritime cooperation, skills development partnership and labor cooperation, among others.
Moreover, Ambassador Natividad underscores President Marcos Jr.’s visit to Germany as a chance to reintroduce the Philippines as a growing investment hub in Southeast Asia for foreign investors as he is set to meet with the German business community.
“This is a working visit that is business-focused. So a big part of the President’s program is business-oriented. He will address the German Business Community and inform them of all of the reforms that the Administration has undertaken to attract foreign investments into the country,” she shares, noting that this will not only benefit the Philippines in general, but will also secure the welfare of over 35,000 Filipinos living and working in Germany.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to undertake his first Working Visit to Germany from 11-13 March 2024.
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