Philippines, France pact deepens military cooperation

The Philippines and France had signed a visiting forces agreement that would allow them to conduct joint ​military training in each other's territory.

The Philippines had secured similar pacts with Japan, Canada and New Zealand over the past two years but this new agreement with France signed on Thursday in Paris made its first such pact with a European country. Besides, this new agreement, which must still be ratified by the countries' legislatures, would allow for greater cooperation with French ground forces, which have previously taken part as observers in the annual US-Philippine Balikatan military exercises.