MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 21, 2014) – The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed Wednesday to further advance and deepen relations, and elevate comprehensive growth, bilateral relations to a higher level.
This, after Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Manila for the World Economic Forum on East Asia.
President Aquino said the visit of the Vietnamese leader has reaffirmed the strong bonds between the two nations as brothers in ASEAN. This is the Prime Minister’s second visit to the Philippines after his official visit on August 2007.
“Your presence today reaffirms the strong bonds between our nations as brothers in ASEAN — a relationship that finds root not only in our shared history as peoples of Southeast Asia, but also in our very commitment to adhere to the rule of law and to uphold mutual respect between the members of our community,” President Aquino said during the state dinner in honor of the visiting Vietnam leader.
The President said the courage and strength that Vietnam government has demonstrated in protecting the interest of its people “have only been a source of inspiration for the peoples of ASEAN, as we work towards building a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable Southeast Asia.”
He thanked Prime Minister Dung for the generosity and unwavering solidarity with the Filipino people in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan that ravaged central Philippines last year.
“Mr. Prime Minister, then as now, you have only expressed your sincere regard for the well-being of the many Filipinos who live productive, dignified lives in Vietnam,” President Aquino said.
“This kindness and concern for the Filipino people was also seen in the assistance extended by the government and people of Vietnam to the thousands of my countrymen who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan.”
The Prime Minister said Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to achieve the target of $3 billion in two-way trade by 2016. And the facilitation and exploration of business and investment opportunities, increase connectivity between the two economies, and ensure food security.
Both countries are likely to cooperate also in finance, banking and services, and at the same time, encourage cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, science and technology, and tourism.
The two countries agreed to establish a working commission headed by the two foreign ministries to establish a roadmap towards strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines. This thrust is aimed at enhancing regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development, the Vietnamese leader said.
“The roadmap for bilateral strategic partnership will be submitted to the high-level leaders of the two countries for adoption,” he said, adding they also discussed regional and international issues and agreed to coordinate closely with each other, as well as with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries.
The two leaders said they also discussed how the Philippines and Vietnam can enhance confidence building, defense capabilities, and interoperability in addressing security challenges, particularly on issues involving China provocative actions in the South China Sea.
Matters pertaining to exchanges in intelligence and naval technology, and others, were tackled in the meeting. Collaborative activities between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard have increased over the years, including information exchange and Hotline Communication Mechanisms between the the two countries which is aimed at protecting marine resources and suppressing illegal activities in the adjacent sea area.
President Aquino said the continued cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam will enable them to better protect their maritime resources, as they pursue strategies for regional growth and progress. He said the two countries must remain steadfast in their shared aspiration and by working together they can build a more stable Southeast Asia.
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