The Philippines and France have signed a visiting forces agreement (VFA) enabling joint military training on each other’s territory, marking a step forward in bilateral defence cooperation.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin formalised the agreement in Paris on Thursday (26 March), citing shared concerns over regional security and support for a rules-based international order.
The Philippine defence department said the VFA will strengthen operational cooperation while ensuring legal protections for joint activities between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the French Armed Forces.
• Agreement enables joint military exercises and training access
• Both sides emphasised peaceful dispute resolution
• Focus on supply chain resilience during crises
• Philippines expands defence ties beyond the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand
The deal follows a reported maritime incident near Thitu Island involving a Chinese naval vessel, underscoring tensions in the South China Sea.
ℹ️ Reuters
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