Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Almendras (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on April 11 for visiting Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Almendras, during which he asked the two countries’ Governments to continue facilitating cooperation between their enterprises, especially those related to rice.
Economic collaboration is extremely important, the PM said, affirming that Vietnam will always create all favourable conditions for Philippine companies to do business in Vietnam.
Speaking of bilateral relations in defence, he suggested the two countries further enhance cooperation in this field.
Welcoming the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Secretary of National Defence, the Government leader expressed his hope that through this visit, Vietnam and the Philippines will coordinate to address common challenges relating to maritime security, natural disasters, food security, and the combat against terrorism and cross-border crime in order to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.
Regarding cooperation at sea, he requested the two Governments maintain joint coordination programmes, strengthen the role of ASEAN in maintaining peace and cooperation in the East Sea, strictly follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work closely to complete negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
For his part, the Filipino Secretary stressed the importance and significance of the establishment of the two countries’ Strategic Partnership, believing that with joint efforts, the bilateral relations will achieve greater accomplishments.
Agreeing with the strengthening of coordination programmes at sea, he stated that the Philippines will continue to collaborate fully and responsibly with Vietnam in this area.
He proposed the Vietnamese Government cooperate more closely with the Philippine side in carrying out joint action plans, promote people-to-people diplomacy, and intensify connectivity between the two countries’ joint committees, particularly in economics, and the rice trade.-VNA
