Celebrating 60 years of German-Philippine friendship

MANILA, Philippines - A reception hosted by German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski last Oct. 3 at Sofitel Hotel in Manila celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines.

About 600 distinguished guests from the fields of politics, business and culture attended the reception. Michael Glos, former German minister for economics and technology, came from Germany to convey greetings of the German people on this festive occasion.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, accompanied by his wife Gretchen and members of his family, was the guest of honor of the evening.

During his address, Ossowski particularly acknowledged Gretchen del Rosario as a witness of the beginning of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines.

She was in Germany in 1954 when her father, the late Policronio de Venecia, opened the consulate general of the Philippines in Hamburg and became the first consul general of the Philippines to Germany after the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Island lounges representing the partners of the event were set up in the ballroom and highlighted the dense network of German institutions and German-Philippine companies operating in the Philippines.

Through the past 60 years, Germany and the Philippines have built a deep and trustful partnership in the political, economic and cultural field.

In September the successful visit of President Aquino to Germany – during which he held fruitful political talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and was received by Federal President Joachim Gauck – was yet another milestone in deepening the already close ties between both countries.

Ossowski said: “While we are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and the Philippines, our bilateral relations are much older. Ever since Dr. Jose Rizal lived in Germany where he published his famous book Noli Me Tangere, there has been a strong emotional bond between Germany and the Philippines. By celebrating the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we are also celebrating a German-Philippine friendship that goes back a long way.”