By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, Nov. 18, said he concluded a “very extensive and quite productive” meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
Marcos said the meeting focused on three major areas: agriculture, energy, and defense.
“I had a very extensive and quite productive meeting with President Macron of France and of course, we discussed some of the regional issues that are impacting upon the economy and the worries that we have for the future and the partnerships that are developing between even far off places, what we used to regard as far off places like France and the Philippines,” he added.
Marcos said he brought up agriculture to see how the Philippines can get assistance from other countries and entities.
The Chief Executive also cited France’s expertise in nuclear energy, which he noted the Philippines could rely on if it goes ahead with a partnership on nuclear energy.
“I’m very confident that it will be a strong partnership simply because they have up to 67 percent of their power production is from nuclear energy so they are very, very used to it,” Marcos noted.
The President said the area of defense was also discussed, pointing out the interconnectivity not only in the global economy but even in political structures around the world that France would be involving itself in defense issues in the region.
“So there are increased involvement in exercises, there are increased presence in the Asia Pacific region and all of that,” Marcos said.
“So these are areas that… the three basic areas that considered that partnerships could be explored. He was also kind enough to invite me to visit France when the time comes,” he added. -ag
