President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on September 27, 2023 | PHOTO: PCO
MANILA, Philippines — In order to bolster bilateral relations, French ministers will visit the Philippines before the end of the year, said the Palace on Thursday.
In a phone call on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron had informed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. about the upcoming visit. Marcos also extended the invitation to the French President himself.
“We can work on what was just held last June, the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee Meeting. And many of the businessmen from France were able to speak to our ministers and some of the local businessmen as well,” Marcos told Macron in the phone call.
“And so if your ministers will come to visit the Philippines then that will be the next step from that beginning,” added Marcos.
The meeting that Marcos was referring to was part of the delegation Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual led in June.
READ: PH, France sign more deals during economic meet
According to the Palace, the visit is meant to strengthen bilateral relations and forge cooperation.
During the call, Marcos also thanked Macron for the patrols he had sent.
“But may I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially Unclos (United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it has been of great help the messages of support and even when you sent French vessels to come and patrol. So I have to thank you, Mr. President, and France,” Marcos said.