Implementing the agreement of the 9th Meeting of the Vietnam - Philippines Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) (2019), on the afternoon of August 1, 2023, at the Government Guest House, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and Philippine Deputy Foreign Minister Theresa P. Lazaro co-chaired the first Political Consultation Meeting between the two countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet highly appreciated the important significance of the Political Consultation mechanism in promoting the implementation of agreements reached by senior leaders; enhancing cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries and exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. This is also an opportunity for both sides to review and prepare carefully for the 10th JCBC Meeting co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries the following day.

Deputy Minister Theresa P. Lazara completely agreed with Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet's assessment of the strong development of the Vietnam - Philippines Strategic Partnership in all fields; at the same time, affirmed that Vietnam is an important strategic partner of the Philippines in the region.

The two sides agreed to propose that the two countries’ Foreign Ministers have in-depth discussions at the 10th JCBC on areas of cooperation of mutual interest, including political, defense, security, economic, trade, investment, maritime cooperation and other areas. The two sides stressed the importance of increasing high-level and all-level contacts, as well as promoting the effectiveness of existing bilateral mechanisms.

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet emphasized that maritime cooperation plays a key role in the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two sides agreed to continue expanding maritime cooperation activities, enhance information sharing, further promote the role of existing mechanisms, and closely coordinate in handling issues related to fishermen and vessels in the spirit of ASEAN Strategic Partnership and solidarity.

The two sides also discussed international and regional situations of mutual concern; pledged to continue to closely coordinate and actively support each other at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, etc.; agreed that increasing political trust and the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership on both bilateral and multilateral levels will help the two countries respond more effectively to challenges, towards sustainable development, contributing to peace and stability in the region./.

Manh Hung