Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17853991264121785399125620.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A drainage pipe leading outside of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A drainage pipe leading outside of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span>MANILA — Outgoing French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said France is ready to further deepen defense cooperation and share its nuclear energy expertise with the Philippines, as the Marcos administration puts greater emphasis on protecting the country&#x27;s territory and exploring nuclear power.</div><p>Fontanel made the remarks during a media gathering ahead of her departure from the Philippines, days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted both issues in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.</p><p>Marcos said it was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/sona-2026-marcos-says-perhaps-time-to-revisit-nuclear-energy-1921">time for the Philippines to explore nuclear energy</a>, while his remarks on defending the country&#x27;s rights and territory drew some of the strongest applause during his address.</p><p>The Philippines and France have already significantly expanded their defense relationship, signing a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in Paris last March that provides a framework for military personnel from both countries to operate in each other&#x27;s territory.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/philippines-france-pact-deepens-military-cooperation-1242">Philippines, France pact deepens military cooperation</a></div><p>Against this backdrop, Fontanel expressed concern over the growing number of incidents involving Filipino vessels and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>&quot;Unfortunately, it has also increased, of these incidents towards the Filipino vessels, fishermen, and that&#x27;s growing. That&#x27;s a growing trend. We are monitoring the situation. We are constantly calling for international law, in particular international law of the sea,&quot;  Fontanel said.</p><p>Fontanel said France&#x27;s strategy in the region is anchored on the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation, which has also driven Paris to strengthen partnerships with countries such as the Philippines.</p><p>Asked how France could further help strengthen Philippine capabilities, Fontanel stressed that Manila must determine its own defense priorities.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s not up to me to say what a sovereign country would need. It&#x27;s a question of sovereignty, and we precisely value a lot our own sovereignty, our own independence,&quot; she said.</p><p>Fontanel said France would continue speaking out against breaches of international law, but also pointed to defense acquisitions as a possible next step in the relationship.</p><p>She recalled that discussions on defense capabilities began when the French defense minister visited the Philippines in December 2023, with the objective of progressively developing &quot;strategic and operational intimacy between the armed forces.&quot;</p><p>France, she said, has a comprehensive and self-reliant defense industry that could support the Philippines should Manila decide to acquire more military assets.</p><p>&quot;The moment the government is ready for some acquisitions, our industry is ready to provide. But probably in the future, that could be the next step, to see more acquisitions for the Philippine armed forces because we know very well that capabilities is deterrence,” she said.</p><p>France is also prepared to share its extensive experience in nuclear power as the Philippines explores nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/10/north-korea-calls-for-bolstering-nuclear-force-kcna-0808">North Korea calls for &#x27;bolstering&#x27; nuclear force—KCNA</a></div><p>Fontanel said nuclear cooperation has been under discussion since the beginning of her posting, with France previously bringing together its companies and agencies involved in the sector for an energy forum organized by the Department of Energy (DOE).</p><p>She stressed that France&#x27;s experience shows that developing nuclear power requires not only a company capable of building or operating a plant, but also strong scientific, regulatory, safety and waste-management systems.</p><p>&quot;You don&#x27;t develop any nuclear program if you don&#x27;t rely on science, scientists who can really help frame the safety,&quot; Fontanel said. &quot;So it&#x27;s not only the provider, it&#x27;s also the safety first.&quot;</p><p>Fontanel said such safeguards would be essential if the Philippines eventually decides to pursue nuclear power.</p><p>&quot;It cannot work if it&#x27;s not secured by the whole regulation, legislation, and organization of the safety aspects,&quot; she said.</p><p>France, she added, has already taken steps to make its expertise available to Manila.</p><p>&quot;And we have already secured the possibility of a grant of the French government to the EDF, the French national company to come and share expertise on energy security coming from this experience of nuclear with the Philippines,&quot; she added.</p><p>On economic ties, Fontanel expressed optimism that negotiations for a free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union could soon be concluded.</p><p>&quot;To have a free trade agreement would be a game changer for both the European Union and the member states, France being part of it, and the Philippines,&quot; she said.</p><p>Fontanel said an FTA could improve market access, particularly in agriculture, and encourage more French companies to consider the Philippines.</p><p>Asked separately whether she was aware of any government-to-government coordination involving fugitive former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, Fontanel said she had no information she could provide.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QKW_mUlbmJc?si=DvAGHrjfeN_SBV0u" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Outgoing French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said France is ready to further deepen defense cooperation and share its nuclear energy expertise with the Philippines, as the Marcos administration puts greater emphasis on protecting the country's territory and exploring nuclear power.</p>

Outgoing French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said France is ready to further deepen defense cooperation and share its nuclear energy expertise with the Philippines, as the Marcos administration puts greater emphasis on protecting the country's territory and exploring nuclear power.

France seeks to boost defense, possible nuclear cooperation with Philippines

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France seeks to boost defense, possible nuclear cooperation with Philippines

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 30, 2026 04:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

France

EU

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

freedom of navigation

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