PH, France bolster maritime ties amid regional threats

The Philippines and France are working together to deepen their maritime ties in the face of increasing security and environmental threats, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said.

- RAYMUND ANTONIO

Speaking during the final installment of "Blue Talks" as part of the Blue Nations initiative of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), the ambassador cited a "renewed bilateral cooperation" between the two countries after the letter of intent between their defense ministers in December last year.

"Your leadership, your experience, in defending international norms are essential to the stability of the region. I want to highlight here the ever-deepening relationship between France and the Philippines as maritime security is concerned. Since the signature of the Letter of Intent between our Ministers of Armed Forces in December 2023, our bilateral cooperation has gained new momentum," Fontanel said.