President Marcos has given his approval to start the negotiations for possible visiting forces agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and France, Malacañang said.
According to Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, other countries are also expected to discuss possible agreements with the Philippines.
"Opo, naaprubahan na po iyan at pakikipag-negotiate po para po magkaroon po ng agreement ang dalawang bansa po (Yes, the President has already approved that and the negotiations for the two countries' agreement)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 25.
"Hindi lamang po ang France; may iba pa pong bansa na maaaring sumunod po dito, at iyan po naman ay inaprubahan naman po ng Pangulo (Not only France; there are other countries that might follow, and that was approved by the President)," Castro added.
The Palace official said the possible VFA between the two countries "could raise the level of compatibility in terms of or in relation to the operations of the armed forces of both countries."
Under the agreement, the two sides are expected to have an exchange of ideas, exchange of skills, exchange of know-how on military operations.
Further details about the negotiations, Castro said, will be discussed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Defense (DND).