Philippines, France boost defense ties with visiting forces pact

The Philippines and France on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila) signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) aimed at strengthening defense cooperation and expanding joint military activities. In a joint statement, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin confirmed the agreement following a bilateral meeting in the French capital. – Advertisement – “Both ministers recalled the successful negotiations for the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which culminated with the signing today (Thursday, March 26) in Paris,” the statement read. “The Agreement will greatly bolster bilateral cooperation and offer…