PM pledges deeper bilateral ties in farewell to Philippine Ambassador

Vietnam remains a reliable partner and a stable rice supplier for the Philippines, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

PM pledges deeper bilateral ties in farewell to Philippine Ambassador -0
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and outgoing Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Baños Montealegre during their meeting in Hanoi on January 3, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised outgoing Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Baños Montealegre for reinforcing bilateral ties in recent years during a reception in Hanoi on January 3.

PM Chinh said under Montealegre’s tenure, both sides effectively rolled out the 2019-2024 Action Plan for their Strategic Partnership. High-level exchanges and contacts have been maintained, highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Vietnam during which five cooperation agreements were signed across various sectors, providing fresh impetus to relations.

He extended profound condolences to the Philippines for lives and property lost in recent storms and natural disasters, confirming that Vietnam is ready to support the Philippines to the best of its ability and has decided to provide 2,000 tonnes of rice to help the country overcome difficulties.

Relaying regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong and other Vietnamese Party and State leaders to President Marcos and other leaders of the Philippines, he said further deepening Vietnam–Philippines relations not only serves the interests of their people but also contributes to building a united, cohesive and resilient ASEAN, and for peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

To further advance the bilateral Strategic Partnership, the host called for more high-level and multi-level exchanges via all channels, full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, and joint preparation of a new action plan for the next phase marking the 10th anniversary of Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

The Vietnamese leader proposed increasing trade and investment promotion, further consolidating maritime and ocean cooperation, enhancing collaboration on climate change response, disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations, and coordinating to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. He also encouraged broader cooperation in such potential areas as agriculture, sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation, a shared ASEAN database, and quality workforce training.

Vietnam remains a reliable partner and a stable rice supplier for the Philippines, he said, suggesting negotiations on an agreement on stable, long-term rice trade based on the existing memorandum of understanding.

PM pledges deeper bilateral ties in farewell to Philippine Ambassador -0
At the reception (Photo: VNA)

Expressing his desire to foster ASEAN’s cooperation, unity and centrality, particularly on the East Sea issue, tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, and the Myanmar situation, he affirmed that as Vietnam has worked closely with the ASEAN Chair in 2025 to tackle regional challenges for a united and cohesive bloc, it fully backs the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship in 2026.

He also urged the Philippines to continue voicing strong support for ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea issue, step up negotiations for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), and maintain peace, stability, freedom, security and safety of navigation and overflight in the area. At the same time, he called for closer coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, particularly ASEAN, the UN and APEC.

For his part, Ambassador Montealegre thanked the Vietnamese Government, PM and people for their extensive support to the Philippine Embassy and to him personally, which enabled the overcoming of challenges and important all-around achievements in bilateral ties.

Fully agreeing with the host’s proposals, he reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to ASEAN solidarity and centrality, sought Vietnam’s backing for its 2026 chairmanship, and stressed the need for continued joint efforts to uphold solidarity within the ASEAN community.

VNA

Other News

Top leader demands concrete output under Resolution 57

Top leader demands concrete output under Resolution 57

Top leader To Lam stressed that while the 14th National Party Congress’s Resolution serves as the strategic blueprint for the country's next growth stage, Resolution 57 is one of the key engines for turning that blueprint into reality.

Politburo sets six priorities for implementing Resolution No. 57

Politburo sets six priorities for implementing Resolution No. 57

After 18 months of implementing Resolution No. 57, ministries, sectors and localities have adopted innovative and effective approaches that have generated positive momentum, while winning broad support from businesses, the scientific community and the public for policies on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Foreign affairs should better serve national development: Top leader

Foreign affairs should better serve national development: Top leader

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam underscored that Vietnam’s development goals for 2030, with a vision to 2045, require foreign affairs and international integration to become more proactive, with stronger forecasting capacity, timely and accurate policy advice, and swift action.

Conference reviews one-year implementation of three-tier administration model

Conference reviews one-year implementation of three-tier administration model

The event was held in a hybrid format, with the main venue at the Dien Hong Hall of the National Assembly building and online connection to 3,651 venues across ministries, central agencies, socio-political organisations, and headquarters of provincial, municipal, commune, ward and special-zone administrations nationwide.

Top leader calls for modern artillery-missile force capable of meeting new challenges

Top leader calls for modern artillery-missile force capable of meeting new challenges

He urged the Artillery-Missile Command to develop a force that is strong in political, ideological and organisational foundations, with absolute loyalty to the Party, the nation and the people, thorough understanding of the Party's military and defence guidelines and directives on safeguarding the Fatherland and building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern army.

NA Chairman calls on Hanoi to turn master plan vision into tangible development projects

NA Chairman calls on Hanoi to turn master plan vision into tangible development projects

Chairman Man described the publication of the master plan as more than the unveiling of a development blueprint. It sends a strong message of action and demonstrates the city's determination to translate the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the 18th Hanoi Party Congress into reality, in line with Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s directive that “Hanoi must do what it commits to do, do it quickly, correctly, effectively and thoroughly.”

Deputy PM receives special advisor to Japan-Vietnam parliamentary friendship alliance

Deputy PM receives special advisor to Japan-Vietnam parliamentary friendship alliance

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau highly valued Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Takebe's more than three decades of contributions to promoting Vietnam-Japan friendship and cooperation, particularly in people-to-people exchanges, local-level cooperation, education and human resource development, with the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU) project standing out as a flagship initiative.

Viet Nam stand ready to support Venezuela after earthquake

Viet Nam stand ready to support Venezuela after earthquake

PSNews - During the press briefing of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on June 25, spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang provided updates on measures to protect Vietnamese citizens affected by the earthquake in Venezuela and a fire at Moscow’s Sadovod market, while reiterating support for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Vietnam, Cambodia foster defence cooperation

Vietnam, Cambodia foster defence cooperation

Vietnam is ready to share training expertise, dispatch delegations to Cambodia for exchanges, and welcome Cambodian delegations to Vietnam for study visits and experience sharing.

Top leader calls on youth to think bigger, learn faster, make more contributions

Top leader calls on youth to think bigger, learn faster, make more contributions

Addressing the opening session of the 13th Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union National Congress for the 2026–2031 term in Hanoi on June 25, the Party and State leader told 788 delegates representing more than 5.1 million HCYU members and nearly 22 million young people nationwide that the country is entering a new stage of development in which young people are not only inheritors of the revolutionary cause but also direct architects of the future.

Minister Luong Tam Quang: Clear determination of personal responsibility helps contribute to boosting science and technology

Minister Luong Tam Quang: Clear determination of personal responsibility helps contribute to boosting science and technology

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a thematic meeting, on the afternoon of June 23, to review the implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW following its third session in 2026. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang moderated the discussions on solutions to accelerate the development of science, technology and innovation.

Top leader askes for building modern army based on science, technology

Top leader askes for building modern army based on science, technology

In the first six months of 2026, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have provided sound strategic advice to the Party and State on military and defence matters, maintained the strategic initiative, and prevented any passive or unexpected situations. Efforts to build a politically strong army have continued alongside comprehensive Party and political work and strict implementation of the Party's resolutions and regulations.

13th National Congress of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union opens in Hanoi

13th National Congress of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union opens in Hanoi

The congress, which will last until June 25, is not only an occasion to review the achievements of the past term but also a significant milestone in defining the vision, objectives, and tasks of the youth union in the next phase, reinforcing the pioneering role of the younger generation as Vietnam approaches two major historic milestones: the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1930–2030) and the 100th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (1931–2031).