CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The French Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Michele Boccoz and the Joint Force Commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific Rear Admiral Jean-Mathieu Rey visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, March 8.
Ambassador Boccoz and Rear Admiral Rey were accorded with military honors as they paid a courtesy call to AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Erickson Gloria. The parties discussed regional dynamics, French military engagements in Asia, as well as cooperation between both countries’ armed forces towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The activity is also in line with the port call of French surveillance frigate Vendémiaire (F-734) to the country from March 8 to 11.
The French delegation also met last Monday with the Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Adelius Bordado and Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nichols Driz. They discussed issues on maritime security, protection of natural resources at sea, and possible future exercise engagements between the French and Philippine navies.
Rear Admiral Rey reaffirmed France's commitment to support the modernization of the Philippine Fleet during the visit.
France has committed to bolster its engagement in defense and strategic partnership with the Philippines. French Ambassador Boccoz during her assumption as envoy in Manila on February 2021 affirmed that her country will contribute to the stability, free trade, peaceful settlement of dispute, development, fight against climate change, and freedom of navigation in the region.///(Photos by Sgt Joel Manzano PA/PAOAFP)
