24 September 2014 - President Benigno S. Aquino III receives military honors upon arriving at the Orly Airport via PR 001 on September 17.

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.

President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews French troops at the Palais de l’Elysée (Presidential Palace).

President Benigno S. Aquino III meets French President François Hollande at the courtyard of the Palais de l’Elysée.

President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls at the Hôtel de Matignon.

President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Filipino community at the Chapelle Sainte Bernadette.

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his keynote speech during the Philippines-France Business Forum at the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel.

President Benigno S. Aquino III experiences 3D urban planning at the “cave room” during his visit to French company Dassault Systèmes.

President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions after delivering his policy speech at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) on September 18. Seated beside him is IFRI President, Mr. Thierry de Montbrial.

PHILIPPINES-FRANCE JOINT STATEMENT

1.         The President of the French Republic, Mr. François Hollande, met with the President of the Philippines, Mr. Benigno S. Aquino, III on the 17thof September at the Palais de l’Elysée, in Paris.  This was a milestone visit to France of the President of the Philippines and a significant development in Philippines-France bilateral relations.

2.         President Aquino and President Hollande had a friendly and fruitful exchange, this being the first meeting between the two Heads of State. They reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue on bilateral cooperation issues, as well as on issues of regional and international interest, and they tasked their respective governments to intensify high-level exchanges. The two leaders also exchanged views regarding ongoing international and global issues.

3.         The two leaders noted with satisfaction the growing strength and dynamism of Philippines-France relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations 67 years ago.  They reaffirmed that the bilateral relations are based on shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law and commitment to the pursuit of peace, the promotion of human rights and the attainment of social justice for their peoples.

4.         The two leaders agreed on the need to strengthen and diversify the relation between the Philippines and France. They welcomed the agreements  signed by the two sides in the course of the visit of President Aquino. 

5.         On defense, both leaders welcomed the forthcoming signing of the updated Philippines-France Arrangement on Defense Cooperation by Philippine National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian. Renewing the 1994 agreement, it continues a framework of cooperation between the defense agencies and armed forces in both countries, particularly in the fields of defense equipment, logistics and defense industries.

6.         Noting the Philippines’ significant progress in governance and the remarkable vitality of the Philippine economy, the increased presence of French companies in the Philippines, and also the mutual interest in  development and growth, both countries agreed  to further explore new areas of economic cooperation in the fields of aeronautics, renewable energy, transport and urban infrastructure,  agriculture, food processing and health, information and communication technology and services, among others.

7.         Noting the increasing number of Philippine visitors to France and French visitors to the Philippines and affirming the role of these exchanges for their respective economies, the two leaders agreed to explore ways and means by which to promote bilateral tourism and to cooperate towards this end.  They looked forward to the implementation of the new Philippines-France Air Services Agreement and the re-establishment of direct air flights between the Philippines and France.

8.         President Aquino and President Hollande expressed their common will to foster increased mutual economic engagement supporting growth of both countries. The two leaders stressed the importance of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) between their respective Ministries to identify concrete steps to achieve progress in bilateral trade and investment. The JEC will provide a venue for discussions on issues such as barriers to investment, business environment and trade facilitation including for SMEs, among others. Identification of new business opportunities should also be on the Committee’s agenda.

9.         Both leaders welcomed regular political consultations between their Foreign Ministries as a framework to strengthen relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.

10.       With respect to international peace and security, both leaders expressed their opposition to any acquisition or claim, by coercion or force, of any or all territory of a State by another State, in violation of international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations. They stressed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law.  

11.       Both leaders underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South East Asia and promoting maritime security, freedom of navigation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  They emphasized the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in fostering peace and stability in this part of the world.

12.       The Philippines and France committed to work closely to adopt a new agreement applicable to all during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the Framework Convention of the United Nations on Climate Change that France will host in 2015.  They affirmed the importance of continuing efforts to address climate change, with the overall objective of limiting the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius and reiterated the invitation for parties who are ready to do so to provide their intended nationally determined contributions to the 2015 agreement by the end of the first quarter 2015. They underlined the importance of adaptation and means of implementation, including  in meeting needs and concerns of countries  that are particularly vulnerable to climate change as referred to in the Convention. 

13.       The President of the French Republic welcomed the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and expressed hope that the enactment of a Bangsamoro Basic Law will strengthen the foundations for peace and development in Southern Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

14.       Both leaders discussed the focus of the work of  the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD)  in supporting the Philippines’ efforts in fighting climate change, helping in the protection of  the environment, and contributing to sustainable development programs and projects in the Philippines, in line with the country’s development priorities. Both Governments will work on continuing collaboration on development cooperation through dialogue and negotiations.

15.       Recalling the devastation caused by super-typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in November 2013, President Aquino expressed the appreciation of the Filipino government and people for the timely and generous response of the French government, NGOs, companies and individuals who rendered assistance and support to the victims of the super-typhoon. 

16.       Both leaders expressed their common interest to continue French support for reconstruction and rehabilitation, as determined by the Government of the Philippines.

17.       Both leaders acknowledged the importance of the ASEM Post-Haiyan Tacloban Declaration in the continuing global disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

18.       The Philippines and France reaffirmed the role of cultural exchanges in fostering mutual respect and understanding between the French and Filipino peoples.  Towards this end, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the 2014-2017 Administrative Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.

19.       Mindful that people-to-people exchanges, especially involving the youth, will bring a promising future to the bilateral relations, the two leaders also agreed to look into expanding and strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, training, and internships in partnership with institutions of higher learning, universities and other relevant entities in the Philippines and France. 

LIST OF AGREEMENTS SIGNED

1. Philippines-France Air Services Agreement. This agreement provides for seven weekly flights between France and the Philippines.

2. 2014-2016 Program of the Cultural Cooperation Agreement. This program provides for cooperation in language training, exchange of artists, heritage conservation and museology, and training in cultural management and cultural tourism, among others.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ecole Nationale d'Administration and the Development Academy of the Philippines. This agreement provides for academic exchange and cooperation, particularly in the training of civil servants.

4. Commercial contract between Globe Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent to improve network quality and performance of Globe Telecom and to increase the capacity of Globe's fixed wireless broadband network.

5. Affirmation of commitment between the Light Rail Consortium, which consists of the Ayala Group and the Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, and Alstom Transport and Bouygues Travaux Publics – for the design and construction of the Manila Light Rail Transit Line 1 Extension Project extending the line by 12 kilometers and adding 8 new stations; and RATP Développement – for the provision of operation and maintenance of the Manila LRT 1 Cavite Extension, Operation and Maintenance Project.

END