PARIS, France — In a historic shift for Philippine diplomacy in Europe, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at École militaire in Paris—marking the first such pact for Philippines-Europe security relations.
The signing followed a bilateral meeting that underscored the rapidly accelerating security relationship between the two nations. The agreement was finalized just one year after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. authorized the start of negotiations.
“Today, we signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and France, only one year after His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. authorized us to begin negotiations,” Secretary Teodoro said. “We signed it today on his express instructions to expedite matters, given his realization of the importance of our two countries’ relationship, and with the Philippines and the rest of Europe.“
The SOVFA serves as the legal framework required to facilitate large-scale military cooperation and the presence of armed forces in either country’s territory. Once ratified and in force, it is expected to enhance interoperability in maritime security, disaster response, and domain awareness.
Teodoro attributed the swift conclusion of the deal to the deep-seated rapport between the two administrations. “We were able to reach this stage in record time because of the fact that our two countries have had years of trust and confidence in working and dealing with one another. We have shared values, shared objectives, and shared visions for both our future and current generations,” he added.
The agreement comes at a time of heightened focus on the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippine defense chief emphasized that the pact is not merely about bilateral logistics, but about upholding global norms, specifically referencing the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“This is a function of stewardship in several things, in enhancing both our individual and collective defense capabilities; and secondly, also equally important, is to protecting the international order under the regime of international law to include fundamental peremptory treaty in the world in 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” shared Teodoro. “And lastly, it is a recognition of the contributions of our people to each other’s countries and a commitment that we will work together to safeguard their safety and well-being wherever they may be, whether in France or in the Philippines, or wherever where we can both help each other.“
This seminal agreement is viewed as a gateway for the Philippines to expand its defense network with other European nations. Currently, the Philippines only holds similar visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia, with a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan also in the pipeline.
Closing the ceremony, Secretary Teodoro expressed gratitude for the milestone: “I would like to thank, on behalf of the Filipino people, the people of France, for signing this most expressive symbol of our sovereignties. And a symbol of trust working together to make the world a better place.”|
