Former Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, Mr. Michael Glos, MdB, a Senior Member of the German Federal Parliament and Member of the Board of Directors of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), recently concluded a fruitful visit to the Philippines for the period January 31-February 04, 2012. Mr. Glos is not new to the country as this latest visit is part of his regular consultative meetings with high-level Philippine government officials as well as leaders from the political and business sectors, not only in the Philippines but also in Germany.

The highlights of his brief visit to the Philippines, which was jointly organized by the German Embassy through Ambassador Dr. Joachim Heidorn and HSF Resident Representative, Mr. Paul G. Schäfer, included meetings with Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former Speaker Jose C. de Venecia and Congresswoman Ma. Georgina P. de Venecia, Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, Police Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome and Dr. Dietmar Schug, Country Representative of the Committee of German Doctors (“Ärzte für die Dritte Welt”) as well as meetings with Filipino political and business leaders and German representatives.

In a special gathering of the German community on the occasion of Mr. Glos’s visit in the country, about 80 participants attended his talk cum presentation titled “Wohin steuert Europa?” (Where is Europe heading for?), which was jointly organized by  the German Embassy, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the German Club Manila.

In the spirit of solidarity with those affected by Typhoon “Sendong”, Mr. Glos was grateful for the opportunity to travel to Cagayan de Oro City and visit and interact with some of the victims of the disaster at two evacuations centers who received humanitarian assistance from the German government.  The trip was undertaken in cooperation with Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, whom he acknowledged for his significant contributions both personally and as a government official in the rebuilding efforts. While in Cagayan de Oro City, he also went to see the Community Health Care Center managed by the Committee of German Doctors in that part of the country and found it a good example of Philippine-German cooperation.

Overall, Mr. Glos was pleased with the results of his visit in the country and recognized the overall direction and current efforts of the Aquino government towards good governance and economic development.