BERLINâPresident Benigno Aquino III won the support of another world powerâGermanyâin the Philippinesâ call for international arbitration to resolve the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday urged China to settle its territorial disputes with the Philippines and other countries through mechanisms provided for under international law.
Mr. Aquino and Merkel spoke at a press conference at the Federal Chancery shortly after the Philippine leader arrived on the fourth and final leg of his European tour.
Mr. Aquino would fly to the United States tomorrow from Berlin.
Asked what role Germany could play to resolve the territorial quarrel, Merkel said her country âis well-advised to point to the fact that we have international bodies to settle such matters.â
âA peaceful and diplomatic approach is always the one that is called for,â she said, adding: âThat is the road that we would opt for.â
In his statement, Mr. Aquino said he and Merkel âshare the convictionâ that disputes âmust be settled peacefully and should be based on international law.â
Economic turnaround
Before leaving Paris, President Aquino told an audience of French policy experts and researchers that he expected 2015 to be a âbanner yearâ for the Philippines owing to the countryâs economic turnaround.
Mr. Aquino said this turnaround was âespecially significantâ as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) transforms itself into one economic community.
âGiven the unprecedented confidence enjoyed by our country, we expect 2015 to be a banner year,â he said in a speech at French Institute of International Relations on Thursday night (12:30 a.m. on Friday in Manila).
âAfter all, the factors that can allow us to build on our momentum are in place,â he said.
âGreatest resourceâ
Mr. Aquino cited the so-called âdemographic sweet spotâ that the Philippines is expected to hit next year, with a big proportion of its population entering working age.
âWe have been investing in our greatest resourceâour people, resulting in an expanding, productive labor force now even more prepared to seize all the opportunities,â the President said.
âWe have a strategic location and vast potential to be a crucial hub of trade, investments and services,â he added.
Mr. Aquino said the Asean regional integration would âopen doors of opportunityâ to France and the rest of Europe.
Ěý
Good governance
âThis is a milestone in the evolution of Asean as we pursue the common prosperity of our peoples and foster the peace and stability fundamental to continued development,â he said.
âThis is a timely development,â Mr Aquino added. âGiven the recovery of markets in the Western hemisphere, increased cooperation can only redound to a healthier global economy and the promise of further growth and development for all.â
The President paraded the countryâs economic gains: The business process management sector âcontinues to mark impressive growth, manufacturing has rebounded impressively and tourists all over the world are flocking to our beaches and cities, seeing for themselves how truly, it is more fun in the Philippines.â
âIt is clear: Good governance is good economics,â he said.
Massive investments
Mr. Aquino said the Philippinesâ commitment to good governance âis now bearing fruit.â
âMoney that once went to the corrupt now goes to massive investments, as exemplified by our budget for social welfare, health and education⌠increasing in multiples,â he said.
In the three European countries he has visited in his current trip, Mr. Aquino emphasized before audiences in Spain, Belgium and France how his administration had âtransformedâ the Philippines since he took office in 2010.
From apathy to hope
The President arrived in Berlin, Germanyâthe final leg of his European tripâFriday morning (4:45 p.m. in Manila).
He was scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Joachim Gauck.
âPerhaps you will allow me to share with you our transformation from a country mired in apathy and hopelessness, to a nation with a dynamic, emerging economy, whose people have a newfound hope and optimism,â he said.
âWhen my administration came into office, we found a government in shambles and a people devoid of hope. Businesses were loath to invest in the Philippines because of the unpredictable environment,â he added.
As in his speeches in Spain and Belgium, Mr. Aquino reminded his French audience of the upgrade in credit ratings the Philippines has achieved and its rise in global competitive rankings.
RELATED STORIES
Ěý
Spain to support PH in sea row