Secretary Locsin Discusses Regional, Bilateral Issues in First Meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (left) and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (right).

13 December 2021 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian tackled regional and bilateral issues as they met for the first time on 11 December 2021 in Liverpool, UK. 

Both officials underscored the importance of ASEAN-EU cooperation in addressing new and existing global concerns, including climate change and maritime security. Foreign Minister Le Drian previously stated that the Indo-Pacific region will be a priority for France when it assumes the presidency of the European Union in 2022. 

“As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Relations from 2021 to 2024, the Philippines values the European Union’s strong commitment to ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” Secretary Locsin told his French counterpart. For his part, Foreign Minister Le Drian emphasized the importance of ASEAN centrality and the major role it can play in the Indo-Pacific. 

As the Philippines and France begin preparations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2022, the two foreign ministers talked about opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense, maritime safety and security, and pandemic response, among others. 

France pledged to continue its support for the Philippines’ vaccination program. Some 1.6 million AstraZeneca vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines via the COVAX Facility, the first shipment of the 5.85 million vaccine doses pledged by France for the Philippines. 

“Vaccines are the key to defeating this virus. France’s donation will support continuing Philippine efforts for timely, universal, and equitable access to life-saving vaccines,” Secretary Locsin said. 

Secretary Locsin is in Liverpool to participate in the G7-ASEAN Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting to be held on 12 December. END