Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed cautious optimism over the newly announced ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important step toward ending the conflict and restoring stability in a region critical to the global economy.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday, June 16, both leaders said the agreement must lead to a genuine cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies.
“Every step in the direction of ending the fighting is the right step,” Steinmeier said.
“We both therefore hope that we will see an actual agreement, not only a signing of a document, but that we will see an ending of the fighting and an end to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
The German leader said reopening the strait is urgent as disruptions affect not only economies but also food prices, fertilizer costs, and agricultural production worldwide.
“Hopefully also to the opening of peaceful talks with the objective of bringing about peace in the region,” Steinmeier said.
Marcos echoed the sentiment.
“Any step towards peace is a good step and that is hopefully what we are observing here,” the president said.
Marcos said the reported agreement would halt the fighting, lift the blockade, and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“That is what we have been hoping for since the day after the war started,” he said.
The president said Germany and the Philippines have felt the effects of the conflict, although in different ways, as global instability continues to affect economies worldwide.
“Again, it is some of the best news that we could hope for if indeed it comes to fruition,” Marcos said.
Despite the positive developments, he cautioned that previous peace announcements had failed to materialize.
“We are always cautiously optimistic. We have unfortunately heard these proclamations before, and they have not come true,” he said. “But we’re hoping that this one is the one that will come true.”
Steinmeier is on a state visit to the Philippines, the first by a German head of state in more than six decades.
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security, trade, and global developments during their meeting in Malacañang.
