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France - Philippines

French President to tackle climate change, security on visit to the Philippines

French President François Hollande and his Philippines counterpart Benigno Aquino are to discuss climate change and international terrorism when they meet later this week, a spokesman said Sunday.

French President Francois Hollande (R) welcomes Philippine President Benigno Aquino at the Elysee Palace in Paris September 17, 2014.
French President Francois Hollande (R) welcomes Philippine President Benigno Aquino at the Elysee Palace in Paris September 17, 2014. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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The French leader’s two-day visit to the Philippines from February 26 to 27 marks the first visit of an incumbent French leader since diplomatic relations were established in 1947.

While the meeting is to focus on climate change, the January attacks in Paris have also brought security issues to the forefront, said spokesman Herminio Coloma.

"The two leaders will also exchange views on global and regional issues like terrorism such as what happened involving Charlie Hebdo in Paris that claimed the lives of 20 people," he told reporters.

Security issues hit home for the Philippines, which has been a long-time target of local Muslim extremist groups.

Coloma said the visit is also intended to raise support for action to tackle global warming ahead of the 21st UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Paris in December.

Aquino visited France last year as part of a larger commitment between the two countries to address climate change.

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