PH, France sign visiting forces deal

The Philippines and France on Thursday signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) to boost defense cooperation and joint military activities between the two countries.

In a joint press release, the Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin met for a bilateral meeting in Paris.

“Both ministers recalled the successful negotiations for the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which culminated with the signing today in Paris,” the statement read.

“The Agreement will greatly bolster bilateral cooperation and offer an adequate level of legal protection to the joint activities between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the French Armed Forces,” it added.

 

 

During the meeting, the two also tackled regional security concerns across the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, stressing the importance of multilateralism, a rules-based international order, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and recognized the significance of the South China Sea Arbitral Award.

The Philippines welcomed France’s engagement with Southeast Asian mechanisms, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, particularly in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and maritime security initiatives.

Teodoro and Vautrin reaffirmed their commitment to deepening long-term defense ties and advancing the objectives outlined in their December 2023 letter of intent on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from establishing permanent military bases in the country. Through agreements like the VFA, foreign militaries may be allowed to enter the countries for activities.

The Philippines and the United States have a VFA that became effective in 1999 and now serves a legal framework that allows US forces to visit Manila temporarily for military exercises and give humanitarian and disaster-response assistance.

Manila had a similar deal with Australia that was signed in 2007.

In April 2025, the Philippines and New Zealand also signed their SOVFA.

The Philippines has expanded maritime and defense security cooperation with other countries in recent years amid tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. —VAL, GMA Integrated News