PARIS, France, March 27, 2026 – The Philippines signed its Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with France, the Philippines’ first with a European partner, during the bilateral meeting between Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and French Minister of the Armed Forces, Hon. Catherine Vautrin, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at École militaire in Paris.

“Today, we signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and France, only one year after His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. authorized us to begin negotiations,” said Secretary Teodoro. “We signed it today on his express instructions to expedite matters, given his realization of the importance of our two countries’ relationship, and with the Philippines and the rest of Europe.”

He added, “We were able to reach this stage in record time because of the fact that our two countries have had years of trust and confidence in working and dealing with one another. We have shared values, shared objectives, and shared visions for both our future and current generations.”

The SOVFA will serve as the primary document to facilitate a wider range of defense cooperative activities between the Philippine and French armed forces in the territory of either country.

Upon entry into force, the SOVFA will be instrumental in developing the two countries’ interoperability in emergency and disaster response, maritime security and domain awareness, and other mutually beneficial areas to more effectively contribute to regional and global security.

“This is a function of stewardship in several things, in enhancing both our individual and collective defense capabilities; and secondly, also equally important, is to protecting the international order under the regime of international law to include fundamental peremptory treaty in the world in 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” shared the Philippine defense chief. “And lastly, it is a recognition of the contributions of our people to each other’s countries and a commitment that we will work together to safeguard their safety and well-being wherever they may be, whether in France or in the Philippines, or wherever where we can both help each other.”

The seminal Agreement with France paves the way for the Philippines’ greater defense cooperation with partners in Europe and beyond to uphold the principles of international law and protect the rules-based order.

“I would like to thank, on behalf of the Filipino people, the people of France, for signing this most expressive symbol of our sovereignties. And a symbol of trust working together to make the world a better place,” Secretary Teodoro concluded.