There is no stopping France from playing a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in the Philippines, as it intends to finalize its Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines as soon as possible.

In an interview with reporters at her residence in Makati City, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said France is eager to ink the defense pact with the Philippines, which will allow French troops to join military drills in the Philippines sans the need to secure a passport and visa.

"What I can say and share with you is that on the part of my government and [French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien] Lecornu, he would like to make it fast," Fontanel said.

Lecornu, who visited the Philippines last week, signed a letter of intent with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., signifying a deeper defense cooperation between the two countries.

Citing Teodoro, Fontanel said the two nations are just waiting for the official go-signal from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his counterpart, French President Emmanuel Macron to start the negotiations on the agreement.

"Well, first of all, we've been told by Secretary Teodoro that the first step was on the part of the Philippines because the VFA would require the President to say and to launch the process," she explained.

According to Fontanel, the letter of intent "draws the horizon towards which the bilateral relationship can be strengthened and increased."

She stressed this as she announced that France is sending a full-fledged defense mission to the Philippines by the first quarter of 2024.

"[P]robably next summer, we will have here a defense attaché, French defense attaché back in Manila," she said.

"Of course, it will help a lot in order to implement on a speedy way, speedy path, the letter of intent that both ministers signed," she added.

Currently, France has a defense mission in Kuala Lumpur that also reports to Manila from time to time.
Joint patrol

Fontanel said France is also keen to hold joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

"So far, under my comprehension, we were ready to (do so). So, it might not be us that would need the framework," she said.

She noted that France is "concerned" about the developments in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the increasing tension between the Philippines and China.

"I mean, no doubt that for France and also for Europe, to have an eye on what's going on here is a given. I mean, nowadays, for many reasons, but of course, because of what's going on in the region and particularly the West Philippine Sea, we are concerned," she said.

"We are many like-minded states, and recalling the value of international law, the value of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the wish that we all have to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region and the freedom of sailing and navigation is, of course, one important thing," she added.