A visiting forces military deal to be signed between the Philippines and France has put the focus on ‘operational intimacy’, with observers noting that Paris has a presence in the Indo-Pacific and would serve Manila’s interests well in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
The Philippines is also exploring similar pacts with the United Kingdom and Germany.
The first round of SOFVA [Status of Forces Visiting Agreement] negotiations took place in Paris early last year and the second round months later in Manila. According to the Philippines’ Department of National Defence assistant secretary for international affairs Marita Yoro, ‘SOFVA is crucial in establishing a clear legal framework to support joint military activities’.
The deal with the Philippines will be France’s second such agreement in Asia, after it forged a Status of Forces Agreement with Singapore in 1998. A similar deal was still in the works with Japan, Fontanel [French Ambassador to the Philippines] said.
[France] counts seven territories including Reunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Clipperton Island, Walis and Futuna in the Pacific Ocean.