The French Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and Ambassador Thierry Mathou recently signed the arrangement between the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines and the Minister of Defence of the French Republic related to defence cooperation.

Under this framework, both countries agreed to focus their cooperation on high-level dialogues and defence policy consultations, visits of defence and armed forces authorities, education and training exchanges and cooperation in the fields of defence equipment, logistics and the defence industry.

“Our relationship would be further enhanced as we institutionalise our cooperation through this agreement,” Secretary Gazmin said.

The conclusion of the Philippines-France Defense Arrangement is very timely given the increasing defence and security challenges both countries are confronted with. The cooperation provided for in the agreement could enhance the two countries’ defence capacities and capabilities essential in addressing such challenges.