Vietnam, Philippines hold 9th meeting of Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Lopez Locsin glowingly spoke of the trustworthy political and diplomatic relations at the ninth meeting of the Vietnam-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Manila on March 6.
vietnam, philippines hold 9th meeting of joint commission for bilateral cooperation hinh 0

During the meeting, the two sides showed their delight at the strengthened and more practical cooperation in national defence and security via the exchange and sharing of information and experience between the armed forces alongside regular defence policy dialogues and naval consultations. 

They consented to boost cooperation in search and rescue operations at sea and the fight against terrorists, pirates and cross-border crimes, especially drug-related crimes. 

They consented to take measures to enhance economic cooperation and offer the best possible conditions for enterprises to promote investment and business partnerships towards maintaining annual two-way trade growth of above 20%. Last year’s bilateral trade hit US$4.72 billion, up 18 % as compared with one year earlier. 

Vietnam assured its readiness to serve as a long-term and stable supplier of rice with competitive prices for the Philippines. 

The two diplomats agreed to intensify measures to encourage Vietnamese and Philippine tourists to visit each other’s country and also hailed remarkable progress in maritime and oceanic collaboration as well as cooperation in agriculture, information-communications, environment, education-training, culture, sports and people-to-people exchange.

With regard to regional and international issues, Locsin congratulated Vietnam and extolled the country’s preparations for the second DPRK-USA Summit in late February.

He said the meeting was of great significance for building trust and promoting practical peace talks on the Korean Peninsula. Through the event, Vietnam has proven its role and positive contributions to regional and international issues. 

vietnam, philippines hold 9th meeting of joint commission for bilateral cooperation hinh 1
Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (R)

Both sides were also of the same mind about closer coordination at multilateral forums and expressed their determination to coordinate with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to foster intra-bloc solidarity and the grouping’s central role in regional security and strategic issues. 

Vietnam pledged its strong support for the Philippines’ role as a country coordinator of the ASEAN-China relations until 2021 while the Philippines side voiced its support for Vietnam’s successful assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. 

The pair also compared notes on their common concern over recent developments in the East Sea. 

They underscored the strategic significance of ensuring peace, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, settling disputes peacefully, practicing restraint, not complicating the situation, not militarizing, respecting international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) as well as legal and diplomatic processes, fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reaching a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

At the end of the session, both sides signed the minutes of the meeting and an action programme realizing the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership for 2019-2024. The important documents serve as a foundation for the two sides to continue stepping up their cooperative strategic partnership in a more practical and effective manner, including activities marking the fifth anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2020 and the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2021. 

Later the same day, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Miinh met with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who underlined the importance of the Philippines-Vietnam strategic partnership and applauded the outcomes of the ninth meeting of the committee, regarding this as a leading mechanism to continuously augment bilateral cooperation for the sake of both countries’ people. 

On this occasion, Minh presented the Vietnamese President’s second-class Labour Order to the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines for its remarkable contributions to national construction and defence.

VOV/VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.