Defense ministers for the Philippines and France have pledged to pursue an agreement that would allow them to deploy troops to each other’s territories. This move comes as the Philippines seeks to strengthen its defense ties in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, in response to China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The Philippines already has similar agreements in place with the United States, Australia, and is in talks for one with Japan. These agreements establish a legal framework for countries to send defense personnel to each other’s territory for training and other operations.
Following a meeting in Manila, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu expressed their commitment to seek authorization from their respective presidents and relevant agencies to begin negotiations for a visiting forces agreement.
“We agreed to work on shared values, shared cooperation, not only in the South China Sea but also in the greater Pacific area where France also has a presence and which we want to further defense cooperation and presence with the other Oceanic nations,” Teodoro said.
Lecornu, the first French defense minister to make an official visit to the Philippines, highlighted the French navy’s active operations and training in the region. He emphasized their agenda of strengthening their presence in the Indo-Pacific, a term commonly used by the United States and its allies to refer to the Asia-Pacific region.
While no specific timeline was provided, the defense ministers signed a “letter of intent” to raise the level of interaction and consolidate their exchanges through practical cooperation. This signifies their commitment to deepen defense ties between the two nations.
The Philippines has been involved in multiple disputes with China over the contested islands in the South China Sea. Beijing claims most of the sea, including waters and islands close to the shores of neighboring countries, and has disregarded an international tribunal decision that deemed its assertion as having no legal basis. China has further reinforced its stance by deploying vessels, building artificial islands, and establishing military installations in the area.
Other countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also assert their claims to various islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which is believed to have significant petroleum reserves beneath its waters.
France, on the other hand, is seeking to reassert its importance in the Asia-Pacific region, where China and the United States are competing for influence. With 1.6 million citizens in the Asia-Pacific across seven overseas territories, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia, and an exclusive economic zone spanning nine million square kilometers, France has a vested interest in maintaining stability and security in the region.
The pursuit of an agreement between the Philippines and France to deploy troops to each other’s territories reflects the growing importance of defense cooperation in the face of evolving security challenges. By deepening their defense ties, both countries aim to enhance their capabilities and contribute to regional stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Source: The Manila Times
