The Philippines and France have discussed ways to explore more areas of defense cooperation as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo sat down with a French admiral for Asia-Pacific on an official visit to Manila.
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Manalo met on Tuesday Rear Admiral Geoffroy d'Andigné, joint commander of the French Armed Forces in Asia-Pacific Zone. Manalo said they discussed the "importance of the Philippines-France defense cooperation, including promotion of freedom of navigation, marine environment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, training and exchange of expertise." "I had the pleasure of meeting Rear Admiral Geoffrey d'Andigné, Commander of the French Forces based in the Pacific," Manalo said in a Twitter post. French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz thanked Manalo for the "fruitful discussion," which also transpired on the "very anniversary day of the 1947 Treaty of Amity." D'Andigné arrived in the Philippines on Monday, June 26, for a series of meetings with various Philippines military and diplomatic officials. This came as the Philippines expands its Western alliance amid challenges arising from disputes over the South China Sea. According to the French Embassy in Manila, he was received aboard the French destroyer Lorraine, which is also in Manila for a port call. Since August 1, 2022, D'Andigné has been the Commander of the Armed Forces in French Polynesia, Commander of the Pacific Ocean and French Polynesian maritime zones, Commander of the Pacific Experimental Center and Commander of the French Polynesian Defense Base. He is an officer of the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit.
Manalo met on Tuesday Rear Admiral Geoffroy d'Andigné, joint commander of the French Armed Forces in Asia-Pacific Zone. Manalo said they discussed the "importance of the Philippines-France defense cooperation, including promotion of freedom of navigation, marine environment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, training and exchange of expertise." "I had the pleasure of meeting Rear Admiral Geoffrey d'Andigné, Commander of the French Forces based in the Pacific," Manalo said in a Twitter post. French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz thanked Manalo for the "fruitful discussion," which also transpired on the "very anniversary day of the 1947 Treaty of Amity." D'Andigné arrived in the Philippines on Monday, June 26, for a series of meetings with various Philippines military and diplomatic officials. This came as the Philippines expands its Western alliance amid challenges arising from disputes over the South China Sea. According to the French Embassy in Manila, he was received aboard the French destroyer Lorraine, which is also in Manila for a port call. Since August 1, 2022, D'Andigné has been the Commander of the Armed Forces in French Polynesia, Commander of the Pacific Ocean and French Polynesian maritime zones, Commander of the Pacific Experimental Center and Commander of the French Polynesian Defense Base. He is an officer of the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit.