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French and Philippine Relations (2012–2017) by Christian Lechervy Ambassador to Myanmar Former Ambassador-Permanent Secretary in charge of the Pacific Advisor on Strategic Affairs and the Asia-Pacific Region for President François Hollande (2012 – 2014)
French and Philippine relations have been maintained by over a
hundred companies located in the archipelago, French investments totaling as high as a billion euros, a Joint Economic Commission, a Philippine community of more than 50,000 in France, and also through many associative and religious partnerships. The relations between France and the Philippines became increasingly politicized between 2012 and 2017. French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault went to Manila and then to Cebu (19- 21 October 2012) for his first trip outside of Europe. That was a historic trip! It was the first visit of a French head of government to the Philippines since its independence. Other exceptional moments followed: the State visit of French President François Hollande (26-27 February 2015), during which he stayed in Guiuan, on Samar Island, to show France’s lasting solidarity with the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013. Presidents François Hollande and Benigno Aquino were determined to achieve a universal agreement during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (in Paris, in December 2015) and therefore launched the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change. French and Philippine relations are developed in a context of mutual concern for sustainable management of maritime areas (both countries are bordering the Pacific region), freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes according to international law— 242
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