France says no formal confirmation yet that VFA talks can start | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
France says no formal confirmation yet that VFA talks can start
France says no formal confirmation yet that VFA talks can start
MANILA — French Ambassador Marie Fontanel on Friday said they have yet to formally receive the official approval of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to open negotiations for a potential Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
MANILA — French Ambassador Marie Fontanel on Friday said they have yet to formally receive the official approval of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to open negotiations for a potential Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
On Monday, the Department of National Defense issued a press release quoting Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as saying Marcos had agreed to open the VFA talks with France.
On Monday, the Department of National Defense issued a press release quoting Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as saying Marcos had agreed to open the VFA talks with France.
"So you probably all saw in the news because Secretary Teodoro conveyed himself that the President had issued the special presidential authorization to open up for the negotiation, but we have not been officially informed yet. So I cannot confirm that the negotiation has started," Fontanel said in a panel discussion hosted by Stratbase in Makati City.
"So you probably all saw in the news because Secretary Teodoro conveyed himself that the President had issued the special presidential authorization to open up for the negotiation, but we have not been officially informed yet. So I cannot confirm that the negotiation has started," Fontanel said in a panel discussion hosted by Stratbase in Makati City.
"We will need to first receive the official news but this is good news, definitely," she said.
"We will need to first receive the official news but this is good news, definitely," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ambassador said France submitted its draft VFA in October last year.
The ambassador said France submitted its draft VFA in October last year.
"So it's a matter of time now to be able to open the negotiation in the coming weeks or month, I guess," Fontanel said.
"So it's a matter of time now to be able to open the negotiation in the coming weeks or month, I guess," Fontanel said.
Philippines has signed VFAs with the United States (Visiting Forces Agreement signed in 1998), Australia (SOVFA signed in 2007), and Japan (Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in July last year).
Philippines has signed VFAs with the United States (Visiting Forces Agreement signed in 1998), Australia (SOVFA signed in 2007), and Japan (Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in July last year).
The Senate ratified the RAA with Japan last December.
The Senate ratified the RAA with Japan last December.
BLUE ECONOMY
While the VFA is essentially a defense and security matter, Fontanel believes that it has implications on the "blue economy," which deals with the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. It covers renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, waste management, climate change and tourism.
While the VFA is essentially a defense and security matter, Fontanel believes that it has implications on the "blue economy," which deals with the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. It covers renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, waste management, climate change and tourism.
"We in the French Embassy, also with the colleagues, we see all the topics as a triangle of issues that in fact have an impact and are intertwined... So basically everything that we do to foster, strengthen our bilateral cooperation, be it in defense and security, will have a positive impact on blue economy, protection of biodiversity and vice versa," she said.
"We in the French Embassy, also with the colleagues, we see all the topics as a triangle of issues that in fact have an impact and are intertwined... So basically everything that we do to foster, strengthen our bilateral cooperation, be it in defense and security, will have a positive impact on blue economy, protection of biodiversity and vice versa," she said.
Sen. Loren Legarda explained that blue economy matters.
Sen. Loren Legarda explained that blue economy matters.
"It is the lifeblood of coastal communities, a driver of growth, and a safeguard for our ocean's future. It is our pathway to shared prosperity and planetary well-being," Legarda said in her message.
"It is the lifeblood of coastal communities, a driver of growth, and a safeguard for our ocean's future. It is our pathway to shared prosperity and planetary well-being," Legarda said in her message.
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
