Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) — The Philippines and France on Saturday signed a Letter of Intent which seeks to open negotiations between the two nations for the establishment of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
The SOVFA seeks to enhance maritime and security cooperation and defines the rights and responsibilities of one country’s forces when visiting the other.
It also facilitates the process of troop visitation and the conduct of joint exercises between the two countries within their territories.
The Philippines currently has a VFA with the United States and a SOVFA with Australia.
In November, Manila and Tokyo launched negotiations for a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which will provide for shared military training and operations.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastian Lecornu met in Manila on Saturday, where they signed the letter which seeks to strengthen bilateral ties of Manila and Paris, particularly through defense.
Both defense leaders first need authority from their respective heads of state before talks can officially begin.
\”We can’t give a definite timeline because that is a matter for the heads of state to decide — to get authorities from our respective heads of state to negotiate a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement,\” Teodoro explained.
\”In our experience with Japan, it happened very rapidly so we hope that the same thing happens here,\” he continued.
Aside from troop cooperation and traditional defense hardware, Teodoro said the Philippines was looking to cooperate in \”emerging and disruptive technologies.\”
These include possible deals with the Philippine Space Agency on the possible peaceful uses of space technology, applications on hybrid warfare and threats, and capability enhancement in disaster risk reduction.
The two countries also reiterated the call for rules-based international order, peaceful resolution of disputes, and a “free, open, inclusive and stable Indo-Pacific.”
