PH and France Commit to Strengthen Economic Cooperation and Efforts to Fight Against Terrorism During Historic Political Consultations
Left photo: Philippine delegation headed by Undersecretary Enrique A. and the French delegation headed by Director Thierry Mathou of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France; Right photo: Undersecretary Manalo (2nd from left) with French Ambassador to the Philippines Nicolas Galey, Director Mathou, and Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro
27 December 2017 MANILA — The Philippines hosted the inaugural PH-France political consultations after the adoption in 2015 of the Joint Declaration on the Enhanced Partnership between PH and France on December 20. The consultations were held as the two countries celebrate their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Among the highlights of the consultations was an agreement to strengthen cooperation to counter terrorism, and to increase economic engagement through implementation of agreed programs and projects in the crucial sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, science and technology, digital economy and creative industry, among others.
A review of initiatives to increase people-to-people exchanges was likewise undertaken, with both sides acknowledging that the agreements on social security and cultural cooperation need to be reinvigorated. Both sides lauded the active implementation of the cooperation on higher education and expressed commitment to further expand institutional linkages and scholarship grants.
The Philippine delegation was led by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and comprised of officials from DFA and other government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The French delegation, on the other hand, was led by Director Thierry Mathou of the Directorate for Asia and Oceania of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Director Mathou was the French Ambassador to PH from November 2015 - July 2017. END