France and the Philippines are set to begin talks next month for a defense pact allowing troop exercises in each other’s territories. The Philippines currently has status-of-forces agreements with the United States and Australia. In addition to China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also involved in long-running territorial disputes. French and Philippine officials will meet in Paris next month for talks on a visiting forces agreement, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said. Since last year, Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships and accompanying vessels have been involved in high seas skirmishes near disputed shoals in the South China Sea.
The Philippines currently has status-of-forces agreements with the United States and Australia, providing a legal framework for the entry of foreign forces into the country. Manila has pursued similar agreements with other countries, including Japan and France, amid escalating disputes with China in the South China Sea. In addition to China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also involved in the long-running territorial disputes, a potential Asian flashpoint that could bring the US and China into a collision course if disputes escalate into a major conflict. France has been increasing its security engagements with the Philippines, with a French navy ship participating in combat-readiness exercises in the South China Sea alongside US and Philippine navy ships.
French and Philippine officials are set to begin talks on a defense pact that would allow troops from each country to hold exercises in the other’s territory, the French ambassador said. The defense chiefs of both countries agreed in Manila last December to pursue such an accord. A meeting in Paris next month will discuss the modalities of the agreement. France has reiterated its commitment to helping maintain freedom of navigation and overflight and respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in the region. China has criticized the exercises, warning that they could instigate a confrontation and undermine regional stability. The Philippine military has dismissed China’s criticism, stating that the drills are aimed at boosting Manila’s territorial defense and are not directed at any particular country.
France has been boosting its security engagements with the Philippines, with a navy ship joining US and Philippine vessels in combat-readiness exercises near the disputed South China Sea. The French ambassador stated that they will have an opportunity in May to start officially negotiating the defense pact or at least discussing the modalities. China has strongly criticized the exercises, accusing the Philippines of “ganging up” with countries from outside Asia. The potential for conflict in the region remains high, with ongoing territorial disputes involving multiple countries. The visiting forces agreement between France and the Philippines could enhance defense cooperation and security initiatives in the region. Meetings between French and Philippine officials in Paris next month will pave the way for further discussions on security arrangements and joint exercises.
