Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France was established on June 26, 1947 with the signing of a Treaty of Friendship in Paris by then Philippine Vice-President and concurrent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Elpidio QUIRINO and then French Foreign Minister Georges BIDAULT. Both countries had just emerged from World War II, with the Philippines' independence having been recognized by the United States on July 4, 1946 and the French Republic having been restored on August 25, 1944 with the liberation of Paris.