France highlights strong ties with PH as part of Indo-Pacific strategy

PARIS — Bilateral relations between the Philippines and France remain strong, especially in key areas of cooperation, France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reaffirmed.

“The relationship between France and the Philippines is strong. It has been 75 years now. The diplomatic relations are open, and they’re strong in fields that are important for both of our countries,” Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said.

He noted that annual trade between the two countries reaches about €2 billion, “which is already a big number,” and pointed to recent agreements such as Air France’s new direct flight between Manila and Paris.

“I think of blue economy, I think of disaster resilience, I think of transport—these are subjects that will help deepen this relationship in the future,” he added.

France also underscored the momentum of high-level exchanges. In April, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin visited Manila, while in June, the first round of Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) negotiations took place in Paris, led by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

“There is a very good dynamic of high-level diplomatic visits between our two countries. It is very important, it is part and parcel of our Indo-Pacific strategy in the region,” Confavreux said.

In July, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said France was already working on a “zero draft” of a planned defense pact that was the purpose of negotiations between Teodoro and the French defense minister in June with the Philippines.

This according to Fontanel is aimed at allowing joint military training and expanded access for French troops which it hopes to submit by September as the basis for Visiting Forces Agreement negotiations. — BM, GMA Integrated News