Remarks of the Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Ambassadors Group
H.E. Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert
109th Stiftungsfest of East Asia Society / Ostasiatischer Verein (OAV)
26 February 2010, Bremen

Thank you Dr. Vollers for allowing a female voice to be heard in this sacred male territory consisting of 500 members of the OAV Bremen. Perhaps it may be some time before you will hear one again. I hope however that your doors will remain open to future lady ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific region.

On behalf of my colleagues from the region, I thank you for the kind invitation to this annual event. We congratulate you for keeping the tradition for the past 109 years and hope that you will keep celebrating Asia here in Bremen.

I specially thank the OAV for sponsoring the visit of two young Bremen students, Ms. Sabine Uzuner and Greta Helfers, to visit the Philippines in 2008. I hope the OAV continue to support these contacts between the young people of Bremen and Asia. It is indeed an effective investment for the future.

As the Philippine Ambassador, I wish to thank those who have kept their faith in doing business with my country since the 1800’s when Bremen businessmen/Consul Peter Jenny came in 1852 to represent the Hanseatic States in the Philippines. I am pleased to inform you that the efforts of Mr. Jenny is being continued by the newly formed German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The President, Mr. Klaus Schroeder is with us today to celebrate this event.

Meanwhile, I am pleased to note that Dr. Juergen Hambrecht, the Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee and as such is also the Chancellor’s adviser for economic relations, will lead a German business delegation to our region in May. This is indeed a recognition of the importance and relevance of the Asia-Pacific region to German economic interests.

I will soon return to Manila after a long diplomatic career. Please feel free to contact me. You know that you have a friend in the Philippines. I thank OAV for bringing us together. I have been your faithful guest for the past five Stiftungsfests.

I wish you all good health and may the year of the Tiger give you the “roar” to continue your engagement in Asia.