26 February 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert and Dr. Norbert Lammert, Vice President (Deputy Speaker) of the German Bundestag (Lower House of the German Parliament), agreed during to reinvigorate Philippine-German cultural relations through regular cultural consultations.

Secretary Albert affirmed the mutually beneficial state of relations between the Philippines and Germany, but acknowledged the need to further enrich the cultural aspect of the relationship.

“The forthcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 2005 should provide the perfect impetus to reinvigorating cultural cooperation,” Secretary Albert said.

Dr. Lammert said this renewed cultural partnership could contribute to the Dialogue Among Civilizations initiative, which seeks to promote understanding, respect and tolerance among the various cultures and religions of the world. The first such Dialogue was organized by the DFA with Iran last August 2003.

Secretary Albert and Dr. Lammert discussed other domestic and regional concerns of interest to both Germany and the Philippines, such as relations with the United States, the Philippines’ Spanish heritage, and the crucial role of the Philippines in regional security being the only Christian nation in Asia.

Dr. Lammert is in Manila in response to an invitation by Speaker Jose de Venecia during his trip to Berlin in July 2003.  In addition to calling on Secretary Albert, Dr. Lammert met with Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita and former President Fidel V. Ramos. – END