Vietnam’s new government reaffirms strategic partnership with Philippines

From Update.Ph (Apr 13): Vietnam’s new government reaffirms strategic partnership with Philippines

Vietnam’s new government has reaffirmed strategic partnership with the Philippines. The recently appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Rene D. Almendras made his maiden visit to Vietnam April 11.

Almendras also conveyed the congratulatory message of President Aquino to Vietnam’s new President Tran Dai Quang, National Assembly Chairperson (Mme.) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and retained Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh.

Alemandras and his visiting party held talks with their Vietnamese counterparts.

“The two sides agreed that it is important for the Philippines and Vietnam as strategic partners to also step up cooperation in maritime security, natural disasters, food security, terrorism and transnational crime. To this end, both sides agreed to enhance information exchange and increase frequency of contact and coordination between the relevant agencies,” according to DFA.

They also discussed ways to further advance Philippines-Viet Nam strategic partnership, which the two sides launched in November 2015 with the signing of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership in Manila.

DFA said it was agreed that the Foreign Ministries of both countries should begin coordination to draft a new six-year Philippines-Viet Nam Action Plan for 2017-2022 to implement the vision of the Joint Statement on the Strategic Partnership. Trade and investments, defense and security, agriculture and fisheries, science and technology, and culture and people-to-people exchanges are among the areas of cooperation with mutual interest.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/vietnams-new-government-reaffirms-strategic-partnership-with-philippines/4231