MANILA: The Philippines and France signed an agreement that facilitates mutual military visits as Manila seeks partners in countering Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea.
The signing was held in Paris during a meeting between Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin, Manila’s defense agency said in a statement on Friday (March 27).
"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 said.
The Philippines has forged similar military pacts with Japan and New Zealand under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration, adding to agreements with Australia and the US, Manila’s long-time ally.
Manila has been strengthening its posture in the South China Sea, where Beijing lays sweeping claims including areas the Philippines says are part of its exclusive economic zone.
France, for its part, has been keen to offer defense assets to the Philippines, including submarine and coast guard ships.
Teodoro and Vautrin discussed current regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, the South China Sea and called for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the strengthening of supply chains in the context of crisis, according to Manila’s statement. - Bloomberg
