The minister of the French Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu will be meeting with his Philippine counterpart Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro on Saturday to further enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In a statement, the French Embassy said the defense minister will have "a working lunch and high-level meeting" with Teodoro, together with other officials from the Philippines and France.

"This visit follows the commitment by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance the strategic partnership between France and the Philippines," the embassy statement said.

In September, the Palace said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron talked over the phone about the issues in the West Philippine Sea.