President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected by the French government in France within the first half of the year for a state visit, which will be the "landmark for (the promotion of) bilateral relations" between the Philippines and France.
French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz said Marcos already accepted President Emmanuel Macron's written invitation, which the diplomat conveyed to the Malacañang Palace.
"It says suggest it would take place in the first half of the year," Boccoz said in an interview in her residence on Friday.
The visit—which is a state visit—would be "very important," according to Boccoz, since it is the first of its kind since 1989 for a Philippine leader.
Former President Cory Aquino was the last Filipino chief executive to go on a state visit to France. Other presidents who went there were just on an official visit.
Energy, maritime and food security, as well as biodiversity and climate change are among areas of cooperation expected to be discussed by the two leaders, Boccoz said.
She added France is also hoping for the signing of an agreement on creative industry, among other fields.
Preparations for the visit are already ongoing, the diplomat said. There have been high-level political consultations between the two sides to "define together the program and the deliverables" of the visit, she added.
In fact, on March 8, the Philippine delegation will come to Paris for the event.
"I think the high level consultations will help us clarify, make sure what is ready, what we can really conclude," Boccoz said.