Philippines And France Sign Status Of Visiting Forces Agreement

PARIS, France — Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro met his counterpart French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vaultrin last March 26, 2026 during the conclusion of the 2026 Paris Strategy and Defense forum held at Ecole Militaire to discuss bilateral partnership and cross regional convergence.

After the closed door meeting on bilateral agreement, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and French Minister Catherine Vaultrin signed the Status Of Visiting Forces Agreement(SOVFA).

In his speech Secretary Teodoro said “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 on this treaty and we signed it today on his expressed instructions.”

France, being the first European partner is among the growing number of partners that share the Philippines’ commitment to protecting the rules-based order and advancing security and stability in the Indo Pacific and beyond.

The SOVFA once materializes will provide the legal framework to govern the presence and activities of the armed forces of the Philippines and the French Armed Forces in each other’s territories exchanging effective military training and engagements among partner nations.