As the Philippines and France commemorate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the two countries conducted the third iteration of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) Meeting on 8 to 9 November 2022 in Manila.
The Philippine delegation from the Department of National Defense (DND) was headed by Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs Henry A. Robinson, Jr., while the French delegation was led by Captain Guillaume Arnoux, Director for Asia Pacific and Latin America, Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy (DGRIS), French Ministry of Armed Forces (MINARM).
The JDCC meeting entailed discussions on various matters of common interest between the two countries. Among the highlights of the meeting was both sides’ mutual commitment to further strengthen and diversify defense and security cooperation as partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The two sides agreed to sustain working- to high-level interactions, education and training cooperation, and various maritime-related exchanges, as well as explore cooperation on environmental security.
The French MINARM delegation, accompanied by French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, also rendered a courtesy call at the DND, where they were received by Defense Undersecretary Franco Nemesio M. Gacal. The courtesy call on 8 November 2022 provided yet another opportunity to take up prospects for Philippines-France defense cooperation as well as share views on the current state of international security.
France also expressed interest in participating in the Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, and the DND’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program, which are among the major thrusts of the Defense Department. In relation to the discussion on the current challenges in the regional security environment, both countries reaffirmed their commitment in upholding a rules-based international order and preserving regional peace and stability. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
