Marcos, Macron to deepen trade in enerfy, food security
THE Presidents of the Philippines and France on Friday agreed to further strengthen both countries’ bilateral relationship by increasing exchanges on energy, food security and defense.
This during a telephone conversation between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and France President Emmanuel Macron.
A statement uploaded on the official website of Elysee Palace said: “This year marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two Heads of State discussed strengthening bilateral relations. They agreed to continue deepening trade in the field of low-carbon energy, food security, defense and human trade.”
On Saturday, the French Embassy in Manila said Macron told Marcos about France’s thrust in the Indo-Pacific region and its commitment to international maritime law.
Paris’ Indo-Pacific strategy seeks to preserve the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the region to promote economic development that preserves the ecosystems and the planet.
Macron urged the Philippines to join the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which aims to protect 30 percent of marine and terrestrial territories by 2030.
He also presented the International Blue Carbon Coalition, a global program to mitigate climate change through the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems.
On food security, the French President cited the actions undertaken within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM), an initiative he launched in March 2022 to address the food crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
French Ambassador Michele Boccoz earlier said ministerial visits were scheduled in the coming months.
