Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino Jr., Officer-in-Charge (OIC) met with Her Excellency Michèle Boccoz, French Ambassador to the Philippines, on August 1, 2022, at the EDSA Lounge of the DND Social Hall in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Senior officials from the DND and the French Embassy were also present during the call.
Senior Undersecretary Faustino and H.E. Boccoz mentioned that the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is being observed with a 6-month long commemoration that was launched last 26 June 2022. Both sides expressed keen interest in broadening the Philippines-France bilateral defense relations by exploring more areas of cooperation, such as addressing climate change, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), information-sharing and defense acquisition.
Senior Undersecretary Faustino Jr. extended the DND’s congratulations in connection with the 233rd anniversary of the French National Day last 14 July 2022. The Philippines side also expressed appreciation for the military education and training opportunities offered by France to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Ambassador Boccoz emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region is a priority for France and remarked that defense and security is the first pillar of its Indo-Pacific Strategy. Both sides recognized the importance of the ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook in the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Senior Undersecretary Faustino reaffirmed the Philippines’ full support for France’s engagement with ASEAN. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
