President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron had a chance to discuss the security issues that the country is dealing with in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

In a press release on Thursday, the PCO said the two leaders conversed through a telephone call.

“[M]ay I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Marcos said as quoted by the PCO.

The President also expressed his gratitude to the French President for the support he had shown to the country and also for dispatching French vessels to patrol within the WPS.

PCO said Chief Executive also invited Marcon to visit the country once he conducts a state visit in Asian countries.

“We can work on what was just held last June, the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee Meeting. And many of the businessmen from France were able to speak to our ministers and some of the local businessmen as well,” he said as quoted by the communications agency.

The President regarded the upcoming visit of French ministers to the Philippines by year-end as “the next step from that beginning.”