Philippines aspires strengthened strategic partnership with Vietnam

Talks were held between the Presidents of Vietnam and the Philippines in Hanoi on September 29 during which both sides vowed to step up political and diplomatic cooperation through regular exchange of all-level visits and strengthened ties on the Party, government, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange.

They underlined the need to improve the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Committee on Bilateral Cooperation at the foreign ministerial level, the Inter-Committee on Sea and Ocean, the Joint Sub-Committee on Trade, the dialogue on defence policy, and the Joint Working Group on Fisheries.

The two sides consented to work closely together to prepare for 40 years of diplomatic ties this year.

"Vietnam always welcomes Filippino investment in the country's agriculture, food processing and tourism and asked the Philippines to facilitate Vietnamese businesses’ investments in infrastructure, oil and gas survey and exploration, mining and services" Quang told his guest.

He assured Vietnam's readiness to offer stable and long-term rice supply to the Philippines.

The two leaders held that national defence-security is an important pillar in the bilateral strategic partnership, and pledged to effectively use existing cooperation mechanisms, including the policy dialogue at the deputy defence ministerial level, while bolstering cooperation in research and training and the sharing of experience in the UN peacekeeping mission.

They agreed to direct their security agencies to exchange information and cooperate in the fight against crimes, terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and hold negotiations soon to sign agreements on extradition and the transfer of sentenced persons.

In regard to collaboration in sea and ocean, farming, transport, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange and education, President Quang hailed the Filipino government’s humanitarian policy and cooperation in fishing boat- and fishermen-related issues over the past years. 

He used the occasion to ask the Philippines to consider releasing all Vietnamese fishermen currently detained in the country.

On regional and global issues of mutual concern, the two sides pledged to offer mutual support for the Philippines in hosting the ASEAN Summit and for Vietnam in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next year.

They will coordinate with other ASEAN member states to successfully realise the ASEAN Community and uphold the regional bloc’s solidarity and central role in the regional architecture.

It is imperative to maintain and promote peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of maritime and aviation along with unhindered trade in the region, particularly in the East Sea, they emphasized.

They called on parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, refrain from the use of force or threat to use force, show full respect for diplomatic and legal process, settle disputes by peaceful means on the basis of basic principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two sides reiterated their support for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and cooperation for the early formulation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The same day, the Philippines President laid wreaths at the Monument to Heroes and Fallen Soldiers, paid a courtesy visit to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and received a Vietnamese business delegation.