2-12-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines and France formalized their commitment to bolstering military cooperation, exploring the potential for negotiations that would permit soldiers from each nation to enter the other’s territory. The agreement was encapsulated in a letter of intent signed by French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, during a significant diplomatic exchange in Manila.
During a joint press conference, Mr Teodoro expressed the intention to take tangible steps towards enhancing and broadening bilateral defence collaboration. Central to this effort is the pursuit of authorization from their respective leaders to engage in negotiations for a visiting forces agreement.
The Philippines currently maintains such agreements with the United States and Australia, and recently commenced discussions with Japan for a reciprocal access agreement. The proposed collaboration with France signals a strategic move to expand the network of military partnerships.
Mr Lecornu’s visit to Manila serves as the inaugural segment of his journey across the Indo-Pacific region, with subsequent stops planned in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia and Malaysia. Emphasizing France’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, Mr Lecornu highlighted ongoing efforts to fortify their presence in the region, showcasing the deployment of over 7,000 troops in overseas territories situated in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.
The Philippines has been actively fostering military alliances with multiple nations in response to China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The longstanding maritime dispute between the Philippines and China has prompted Manila to seek collaborative partnerships as a countermeasure. Notably, the Philippines received support for its claims in the South China Sea through a 2016 international tribunal ruling, which rejected China’s expansive territorial assertions.
In a bid to strengthen regional security, the Philippines has initiated joint patrols in the South China Sea with the United States and Australia.
