Philippines and France Sign Landmark Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in Paris

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) at the École Militaire in Paris on March 26, making France the first European nation to conclude a visiting forces pact with the Philippines. The agreement was authorized by President Marcos and reached after one year of negotiations. Both sides affirmed the primacy of UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling in the document. The SOVFA will allow French forces to operate from Philippine territory for joint exercises, including anticipated participation in Balikatan 2026. The agreement deepens Europe's direct military engagement in Indo-Pacific security and signals growing European solidarity with Manila on SCS sovereignty.