President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks following an address to the Lowy Institute at the State Library of Victoria, in Melbourne, Australia, March 4, 2024.  Joel Carrett, EPA-EFE   The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s upcoming visits to Germany and the Czech Republic next week, saying that these trips support the administration’s development agenda.

The statement comes following criticisms on the President ’s frequent overseas travels, especially after Malacañang’s announcement that Marcos Jr. will embark on foreign trips to Europe less than a week after he returned from his visits to Canberra and Melbourne, Australia.

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“These trips are all in support of the President’s development agenda for the wellbeing of our country and the progress of the Filipinos. Thank you po,” DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algrabre said in a Palace briefing, adding that Marcos Jr’s upcoming visit to Europe are necessary and not a waste of government funds.

Marcos Jr’s working visit to Germany and state visit to the Czech Republic will be the Philippine leader’s 5th and 6th foreign trips in 2024 alone. Aside from Canberra and Melbourne, Australia, the President also embarked on a state visit in Hanoi, Vietnam last January. He also attended the wedding of a Brunei Prince in Bandar Seri Begawan earlier in the year.

Malacañang earlier announced that Marcos would meet with the leaders of Germany and the Czech Republic during his state visit in Berlin from March 12 to 13, and in his state visit to Prague on March 14 to 15, 2024. This, as the Philippines seeks to strengthen bilateral relations and foster increased cooperation with the two European countries.

The DFA said the Marcos Jr would convey the Philippines’ interest to expand defense cooperation with both countries during his visit.

“Yes, the President will have an exchange on how both could work together in maintaining an international rules-based order,” Algabre said.

“For Germany, we already have a defense cooperation agreement... It was signed in 1974 if I may but it focused initially on training of our armed forces. So now, we would like to convey our interest to expand the cooperation. With the Czech Republic, we are also exploring/discussing with them on how we can also expand cooperation in areas including defense.”

In Berlin, the Philippines and Germany will sign a joint declaration of intent on strengthening cooperation in maritime sector, which seeks to “facilitate maritime trade and mobility of Philippine and German-owned commercial vessels,” the official said.

“This is more on the commercial side, so facilitating the movement of maritime trade. And you know very well that one-third of the seafarers around the world are Filipinos, and a robust shipping industry in the Philippines and in worldwide will be good for the employment of seafarers – Filipino seafarers,” she said.

Manila and Berlin will also sign a cooperation program between TESDA and the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training on technical and vocational education and training or TVET.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is set to sign with the Czech Republic a communique on the establishment of a labor consultations mechanism, the official said. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between both countries for “the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers, as well as for the provision of higher protection of their rights and welfare.”

According to the DFA, some 7,000 Filipinos live and work in the Czech Republic. The European country earlier expressed its interest to encourage more Filipinos to participate in the labor market.

“In fact, they have announced a yearly quota for Filipinos starting this May of 10,000 Filipinos who may enter the Czech Republic for work,” Algabre said.

President Marcos Jr’s European trips will focus on bolstering trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines, as he is expected to invite German and Czech companies to increase their presence in the country, the official added.

“The President will also attend business forums in both countries participated in by prominent business leaders. He will then meet with major companies intending to take advantage of the Philippines’ continuing impressive economic performance and conducive economic investment environment. During these business forums, partnership agreements will also be signed,” Algabre said.

The President will have an opportunity to meet with the Filipino communities living in Germany and the Czech Republic, she said.