Creating more momentum to promote Vietnam-Philippines relations

The first official visit of Minister Enrique Manalo to Vietnam (from August 1-2) was a great success, contributing to deepening the Strategic Partnership between the two countries with specific roadmaps, goals and great determination.

Tạo thêm đà thúc đẩy quan hệ Việt Nam-Philippines

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo in Hanoi, August 2. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The success of the 10th Meeting of the Vietnam-Philippines Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (UBHH-10); the first-ever Political Consultation Meeting between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs; the promotion of the development of the Action Program to implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2025-2030 period... are the outstanding results of the first official visit to Vietnam by Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.

During the visit, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; co-chaired the 10th Session of the PCC with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; visited the Diplomatic Academy and shared on the topic “Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership in Turbulent Times”.

Shaping the roadmap 2025-2030

During the exchange, both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening and developing the multifaceted friendship and cooperation between the two countries; and continuing to promote the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership.

The 10th session of the UBHH is one of the efforts to demonstrate that determination. With the participation of representatives of relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries, at the session, the two sides conducted a comprehensive review and assessment of the bilateral relationship since the 9th session of the UBHH in Manila (March 2019) and the implementation of the Vietnam-Philippines Action Program for the period 2019-2024. The two sides were pleased with the good development of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership over the past four years, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Measures to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields were specified by both sides, emphasizing: Increasing the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts, especially the visit to Vietnam by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at an appropriate time; effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Committee on Sea and Ocean Affairs, the Joint Subcommittee on Trade, the Joint Working Group on Agriculture, the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, etc.

To continue the Vietnam-Philippines Action Program for the 2019-2024 period, the two sides immediately moved towards promoting the development of an Action Program to implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2025-2030 period. In addition, Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation; strive to soon bring two-way trade turnover to 10 billion USD, with a focus on rice trade.

Promoting maritime and ocean cooperation is an aspect highlighted by both sides with specific “tasks” such as enhancing information sharing; further promoting the role of existing mechanisms as well as closely coordinating in handling issues related to fishermen and vessels in the spirit of strategic partnership and ASEAN solidarity; improving the effectiveness of cooperation in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

Both sides recognized that maritime cooperation plays a key role in the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation in other important areas such as agriculture, culture, tourism, education, transportation, science and technology, environment, and people-to-people exchange.

As both are members of the “common home” of ASEAN, it is clear that both countries are determined to work together with other ASEAN countries to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and central role; promote ASEAN’s sub-regional cooperation; and contribute to building a strong and prosperous community. The two countries also expressed mutual support at other multilateral forums such as the United Nations, and increased exchanges on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

During the reception for the Philippine Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two sides maintain close coordination to ensure progress in implementing the goals set at the 10th JCBC Meeting; promote economic and trade cooperation; emphasize the importance of strengthening defense and security cooperation, especially maritime cooperation, and support the early establishment of additional legal frameworks for security cooperation between the two countries; and affirm Vietnam's four-no defense policy.

Getting Through the Changing Times

During his visit to Vietnam - the Philippines' only strategic partner in ASEAN, Minister Enrique Manalo devoted much of his time to his speech at the Diplomatic Academy with the theme: "Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership in turbulent times". To overcome "turbulent times", challenges, seize opportunities and develop together, Minister Enrique Manalo emphasized many messages.

The first is to build a strong, united ASEAN Community with a central role in the region and an increasingly high international position.

The second is comprehensive bilateral cooperation in all fields, with priority given to promoting economic recovery and sustainability, developing smart technology, green economy, responding to natural disasters, climate change, and maritime cooperation.

Third is to strengthen the rules-based international system, uphold international law, comply with the ASEAN Charter and the United Nations Charter, and create a peaceful, stable, and favorable regional environment for development and prosperity.

Minister Enrique Manalo emphasized efforts to ensure peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea and enhance maritime cooperation; how small and medium-sized countries, especially ASEAN members, maintain a balanced position in the context of complex strategic competition...

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 10th Meeting of the Vietnam-Philippines Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Trade turnover of 10 billion USD

In recent years, trade cooperation has been a bright spot in the relationship between the two countries. The determination to soon bring two-way trade turnover to 10 billion USD, emphasizing rice trade, has been mentioned repeatedly in exchanges between the two countries in recent times. Most recently, at the meeting on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit (May in Indonesia) between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, this was also emphasized.

Vietnam affirmed its readiness to provide rice strategically, long-term, and stably at reasonable prices to the Philippines, thereby contributing to helping the Philippines ensure food security.

The Philippines is currently Vietnam's leading rice consumer market. Vietnam's rice export value to the Philippines exceeded the one billion USD mark for the first time in 2020. In addition to trade benefits, Vietnam's rice exports to the Philippines also contribute to the Philippine Government's efforts to ensure food security. In the context of Vietnam being the region's leading agricultural exporter and the Philippines being the second most populous country in ASEAN, agricultural cooperation between the two countries has many opportunities to continue to develop further.

In his speech at the Diplomatic Academy of the Philippines, the Philippine Secretary highlighted the two countries’ cooperation in post-Covid-19 economic recovery, combating the “headwinds” of supply chain disruptions, rising protectionism, and geopolitical instability. The Secretary expressed his appreciation that the two countries are seeking to help each other achieve greater economic sustainability and resilience in all sectors, especially agriculture and food security.

In addition, in the current context, the two countries still have a lot of room for cooperation in areas such as innovation, startups, digital economy, green economy, circulation, sharing, climate change response, etc.

Thus, the first official visit of Minister Enrique Manalo to Vietnam was a great success, contributing to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries with a specific roadmap, goals and great determination.

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