Marcos discusses WPS issue with French President Macron

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the security issues facing the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea earlier this week, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a statement, Marcos told Marcon in a telephone call on Wednesday that the Philippines is exerting all its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

"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 (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and 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," Marcos said.

Marcos said that the Philippines and France had just celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship, recalling their fruitful meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok last year.

Marcos said the Philippines and France are taking their discussions seriously to ensure a favorable outcome for the two countries.

"This is all the product of our meetings in Bangkok, and I am very happy that … Well, we have been working assiduously trying to make sure that what we discussed we follow up and we come to a good conclusion," Marcos said.

While everything is still under discussion, President Marcos said the Philippines will make close diplomatic contact through French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, who presented her credentials on 20 September.

Meanwhile, Marcon told Marcos that French ministers will visit the Philippines soon.

President Marcos replied to Macron that they could start working during the visit of the French ministers on what had been discussed during the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Meeting last June.

Marcos then extended the invitation to the French President to visit the Philippines whenever he made a state visit to Asia.

"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," Marcos told President Macron.

"(If) your ministers will come to visit the Philippines then that will be the next step from that beginning," the chief executive added, as he expressed his gratitude for the long-standing bilateral ties between the Philippines and France.