ABS-CBN News Channel interviews Ambassador Weber-Lortsch on NAIA 3

Ambassador Weber-Lortsch appeared on ANC's (ABS-CBN News Channel) "Business Nightly" earlier this month to air Germany's view on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 issue.

He stated that he was keen on finding an out-of-court solution to an issue which has tainted German-Philippine relations. The unresolved expropriation case "has affected government business mainly in infrastructure" according to Ambassador Weber-Lortsch, as potential international investors search for a conducive environment for investments.

NAIA 3 was built by Philippine company Piatco together with its German business partner Fraport AG. Under the build-operate-transfer scheme, the building was supposed to be handed over to the Philippine government after a few years.

However, the government under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cancelled the contract amidst allegations of violations by Piatco and Fraport. The terminal was expropriated by the Philippine government which lead Piatco and Fraport to seek legal compensation in international courts in Singapore and Washington.

In late December 2010 an adhoc committee in Washington restored Fraport's right to file an arbitration/compensation case against the government of the Philippines. This decision rekindled a public debate on the issue, with both the Philippine and German sides airing their views.

January 2011