Hanoi (VNA) - Japan and thePhilippines have agreed to work toward achieving a free, open and rules-basedIndo-Pacific region by strengthening security cooperation.
According to Japanese news agency Kyodo News, PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe told the press after his meeting with President RodrigoDuterte in Tokyo on May 31 that as the two countries are both maritime nationssharing basic values and strategic interests, they will strengthen coordinationin tackling important challenges, including the realization of a free and openIndo-Pacific based on the rule of law."
The Japanese PM also said Japan will continue tosupport the Philippines in building infrastructure. He praised Duterte's own"Build, Build, Build" infrastructure development programme, sayingJapan will continue to extend its assistance.
Duterte expressed appreciationfor Japan's development assistance, Kyodo News reported, quoting him as sayingthat "It's the gold standard for the Philippines' development cooperationwith partner countries."
Japan and the Philippines enteredinto a strategic partnership in 2009.-VNA