27 October 2015 – Secretary Albert F. del Rosario led a delegation of 11 Philippine officials in the Ministerial Meeting of the 8th Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), which he co-chaired with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, Pham Binh Minh, in Hanoi last week.
Secretary Del Rosario and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. They also discussed the 40th Anniversary of Philippines-Viet Nam relations in 2016 as well as security developments in the region.
Secretary Del Rosario remarked that Philippines-Viet Nam relations have expanded significantly since the 7th JCBC back in 2013. In a press briefing following the JCBC, the Secretary emphasized that these regular meetings between Philippines and Viet Nam “reflect the commitment of both to continuously find ways to improve cooperation, deepen engagement and broaden avenues for further collaborative endeavors for the benefit of the Filipino and Vietnamese people.”
The Secretary also paid a courtesy call on Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. They shared their positive expectations that the Strategic Partnership would be formalized on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila next month.
Secretary Del Rosario also noted the excellent momentum of the Personnel Interaction Program between the Philippine and Viet Nam navies and cooperation between our coast guards in the search and rescue (SAR) at sea and other humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
As emerging economies, the Philippines and Viet Nam are looking into intensifying trade and investment cooperation, including exchanges in agriculture and fisheries. They are also ready to expand cooperation in science and technology, environment and climate change, transportation, education, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The Philippines and Viet Nam discussed their shared interest in preserving and promoting peace, stability and the rule of law in the South China Sea. They reiterated their commitment to securing a rules-based resolution of maritime disputes in the region, including arbitration, in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.They both pledged to continue cooperation in these advocacies within ASEAN and international bodies. END