Hanoi (VNA) - The foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea (RoK), and the Philippines on August 7 agreed to redouble efforts toward the official elevation of their bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership" within this year, a commitment shared by the two countries' leaders, according to the RoK's Yonhap News Agency.
RoK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul reaffirmed the commitment to expanding ties during the talks with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, the RoK Foreign Ministry's office said.
In the talks, Cho said the RoK and the Philippines are two "geopolitically important" countries in the Indo-Pacific, and stressed the need to strengthen two-way strategic cooperation to ensure regional peace and prosperity.
The Philippines is also a vital partner in the RoK's Indo-Pacific strategy and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, a landmark diplomatic initiative by the RoK to strengthen its partnership with ASEAN, he stated.
The RoK official affirmed commitment to working with the Philippines to open a new chapter by establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries in the coming months. He expressed his hope that more Korean companies will be able to take part in Manila's efforts to bolster its defence capabilities.
The ministers also agreed to work together for the early ratification of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) signed in September last year, so that the people of the two countries can benefit from the pact.
Additionally, Cho said the RoK plans to support the Philippines in coping with rice shortages, not only through aid in kind, but also in terms of infrastructure and agricultural modernisation.
Previously, in March, RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed in letters exchanged to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, to push for an upgrade of the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership./.
