MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved the start of a negotiation between the Philippines and France to enter into a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro disclosed in a press release Monday.

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"We also have received from his excellency, the President, the authority to negotiate a Visiting Forces Agreement with France and other countries are coming and joining the bandwagon," said Teodoro, referring Marcos Jr.

Teodoro made the announcement during the celebration of the 49th foundation anniversary of the AFP Western Command in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

The DND also announced the conclusion of Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with New Zealand and Canada last February 20 and March 7, respectively.

Teodoro said the agreement with New Zealand will be signed next month.

Teodoro is also due to meet with visiting US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.

"In a few days, my counterpart, the honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America will be paying a visit to the president and to myself where we will discuss ways to enhance our bilateral and trilateral and squad partnership," said Teodoro.

Philippines has signed VFAs with United States (Visiting Forces Agreement signed in 1998), Australia (SOVFA signed in 2007), and Japan (Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in July last year).

The RAA with Japan was ratified by the Senate last December.

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