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French Navy’s flagship vessel to visit Manila for maritime exercises
France's flagship aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is set to make its first port visit to the Philippines in February 2025, as announced by French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel.
This visit aims to strengthen maritime security relations and France's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, building on a 2023 letter of intent between the defense ministries of both nations.
The carrier group will participate in the "Pacific Steller" exercises, a joint naval drill with the United States to be held within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) east of the country.
Japan's ambassador to the Philippines expressed concern over increasing assertiveness of the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.
France and the Philippines are discussing a visiting forces agreement, with a draft agreement currently under review by Philippine authorities.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Navy recently concluded their fifth maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea for the year, held from January 17 to 18.
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) conducted joint maritime drills near Palawan from January 17 to 18, marking the first such exercise in 2025.
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The Philippine Navy conducted a naval exercise and sovereignty patrol in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, January 17, 2025, showcasing its improved firepower and readiness to protect national maritime interests.
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