By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
France is working toward negotiating a Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said. This undertaking follows the Philippines’ successful agreement with Japan and the escalating Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Now that the spectacular negotiation with Japan has come to the impressive result we saw last week – and congratulations for that, we are working hard to be one of the countries next in line,” she said in her speech on the 8th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitral award.
Ambassador Fontanel reiterated her country’s full commitment to supporting the Philippines in upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with UNCLOS and other international laws and alongside other like-minded partners.
UNCLOS is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippines, China, and France are among the 168 signatories to the treaty.
“We are fully committed to contribute to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific together with the Philippines and other ASEAN and like-minded partners,” she said.
France and the Philippines are two maritime nations that value democracy, the rule of law, and multilateralism. And the strengthening partnership between our two countries continues to grow stronger, the ambassador said.
She said France’s strengthened bilateral relations with the Philippines is demonstrated by the visit of the French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu in December 2023 and the subsequent signing of a letter of intent to enhance defense partnerships.
She said France’s participation in the bilateral maritime Balikatan exercise, the port call of the French Navy’s Bretagne destroyer, and the upcoming Pegase Mission deployment all point to a deepening defense cooperation between France and the Philippines.
The establishment of a resident defense mission and the presence of French Defense Attaché Captain Stephan Litzler further solidify these efforts, she added.
In 2024, France’s operational activity in the Philippines ranks third in the Southeast Asia region, reflecting Paris’s increased attention to the geopolitical dynamics and the unique position of the Philippines.
She noted the increasing tensions perpetuated by China and the risk of uncontrolled escalation with regional or even global repercussions.
The ambassador highlighted France’s dedication to upholding a rule-based order in the South China Sea and reaffirmed France’s shared interests in the Indo-Pacific.
She said France’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region is demonstrated by its consistent support for the 2016 Arbitral Award and its active involvement in defense and security partnerships in the region.
France’s observer status in the ADMM+ (ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting) expert groups since 2022 underscores its commitment to contributing to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The relevance of the 2016 Award, Ambassador Fontanel noted, lies in its address of critical issues such as the illegitimacy of the “nine-dash line,” the rights of Filipino fishermen, and the condemnation of harmful Chinese activities in the South China Sea.
The ongoing challenges require increased vigilance and resources from all partners, the ambassador said.
Despite China’s provocations and violations of international rules, notably disregarding the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision in favor of the Philippines, France continues to support the Philippines’ non-confrontational approach anchored in international law and multilateralism.
The 2016 Arbitral Award, the ambassador said, sent a powerful message to the world about the importance of a rule-based international order, a principle that remains challenged but essential for collective peace and prosperity.
Ambassador Fontanel said that as a “blue nation” with significant maritime interests and territories, France shares the Philippines’ concerns over sovereign rights and illegal fishing.