The Philippines and France have reaffirmed their commitment to defense partnership as senior officials from both countries sat at the 5th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) Meeting on Wednesday, tackling ongoing initiatives and new areas of cooperation.
Defense Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro led the Philippine delegation, composed of officials from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In her opening remarks, Yoro highlighted the “significant strides” made since the JDCC 2024, citing France’s expanded naval engagements in the region.
These include the French Navy’s participation in Exercise Balikatan 2024, several port calls across the Philippines, and the start of negotiations for a proposed Philippines–France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). The first round of talks is scheduled for June 2025 in Paris.
Yoro said the SOVFA would provide a clear legal framework for joint military activities—an important step aligned with the 2023 Letter of Intent between the two nations aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties. She stressed that Manila sees Paris as a “like-minded partner” in promoting regional stability and upholding a rules-based international order.
Representing France, Rear Admiral Jérôme Theillier of the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy cited France’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
He emphasized that France intends to remain a dependable security partner and contributor to regional peace.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged assessments of Indo-Pacific security developments, with discussions focusing on Pacific Island clusters, the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, critical undersea infrastructure, minilateral cooperation, and broader strategic trends.
Both sides also reviewed upcoming planned Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities, including preparations for Multinational Exercise MARARA 2026, Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Exercise SAMASAMA 2026. Participation in these exercises underscores the growing and long-term defense partnership between the Philippines and France.
