A group of French ministers are scheduled to travel to the Philippines before the end of the year, and this was mentioned by Macron to Marcos during a phone conversation.
Marcos, on the other hand, told Macron that the visit of French ministers to the Philippines could pave the way for the discussions on the outcome of the 10th Philippine-France joint economic commission meeting last June.
“We can work on what was just held last June, the 10th Philippine-France joint economic committee meeting. And many of the businessmen from France were able to speak to our ministers and some of the local businessmen as well,” according to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
The scheduled visit of French ministers is a part of the efforts to strengthen the bilateral ties and forge more cooperation between the Philippines and France.
In the first part of their phone conversation, the two leaders tackled security issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Marcos said that the Philippine government is exerting all efforts to maintain peace, maintain stability, and keep the shipping lanes and airways open in the WPS.
The Philippine president also thanked his French counterpart for supporting the Philippines in terms of shared values, and in terms of following international law, especially the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea.
“But may I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially Unclos (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Pres. Marcos added.
Marcos also lauded France for sending its vessels to help patrol the disputed waters.
“It has been of great help the messages of support and even when you sent French vessels to come and patrol. So I have thank you, Mr. President, and France,” he said.
Marcos also cited the 75th anniversary celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, and their meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders’ meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in 2022.
He also mentioned that both nations will have close diplomatic contact with the French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel.
Marcos also invited Macron to visit the Philippines whenever he made a state visit to Asia.
