Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19) — “Dynamic and inspiring” — that’s how German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel described Philippine-Germany relations after serving as envoy in Manila for over four years.
Reiffenstuel took the time to sit down with CNN Philippines for a one-on-one interview weeks before she wraps up her tenure in the country.
The German envoy arrived in the Philippines in August 2019, a year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world and changed how diplomacy works.
\”It was still during the time of the Duterte administration and soon after that there was a lockdown and now there are more opportunities opening up,\” the envoy recalled.
But the pandemic did not stop the envoy to see the best in Filipinos especially in times of hardships and struggles.
Reiffenstuel was also among those who took part in the community pantry initiative and even donated items to less-privileged communities.
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\”Deeply impressed by the solidarity spirit of the Filipinos. Great respect for the volunteers and the initiative,\” the envoy said at that time.
The ambassador, however, took some time when asked on what she thinks is the greatest strength of Philippine-German ties.
\”It’s a difficult question,\” she said.
But for the envoy, she would always go back to the people and their commitment.
\”The greatest strength is commitment that you see in people that are involved. This commitment of the people is not only in the government or official level but it really goes back to the grassroots levels. The NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), the partner organizations and the people-to-people contact,\” Reiffenstuel explained.
Reiffenstuel also described how she will best remember the Philippines and the Filipinos once she returns to Germany.
\”People matter, It’s the people. You can have an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), you can have an agreement but to implement it, you have to have the people on the ground. This is the most important work,\” she said.
\”This is the absolute highlight of my work in the Philippines to see the commitment wherever I travel. I saw the willingness to work together, to work with Germany, to work with the world, with Europe,\” she added.
Under Reiifenstuel’s term, Germany was able to explore discussions on PH-Germany relations, especially on climate change and renewable energy.
The envoy also exerted effort to make sure that a new climate change initiative funding will be rolling even after she leaves her post.
Reiffenstuel was also vocal when it comes to human rights issues, the case of former Senator Leila De Lima, and Germany’s position on international law and support for the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.
The German envoy said she hopes to emulate some of the practices here in the Philippines once she goes back to Berlin.
\”I hope I can take few of the things I have experienced here with me and continue that in Germany like inviting foreigners, inviting Filipinos to meetings to your house for dinner. Filipinos have been so welcoming and Filipinos are known for this and I hope I can take this with me,\” she said.
