Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (Photo: VNA)The Government leader of Vietnam saidrelations between the two countries have been unceasingly intensifiedthroughout the last 45 years, since their diplomatic ties were established onJuly 12, 1976.
President Duterte noted the PhilippineGovernment and people have consistently treasured and worked to develop thecountries’ strategic partnership, and that they appreciate Vietnam’s meaningfulassistance in the recent past, including the medical supplies for the fight againstCOVID-19.
The two leaders agreed to work closelytogether to promote Vietnam - Philippines relations in all aspects, with afocus on implementing the plan of action for 2019 - 2024, carrying outactivities marking the 45th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relationship,enhancing cooperation in security - defence and trade - investment, and creating favourable conditions for and encouraging enterprises to invest and do business in thesectors matching the countries’ potential and strength.
PM Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s readiness tocontinue ensuring stable and long-term rice supply for the Philippines, askingthe latter to further open its market to food and agricultural products fromVietnam.
The leaders agreed to consider expandingcooperation to new areas amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as digitaltransformation, the digital economy, e-commerce, and the green economy.
They also shared the view that vaccine is animportant strategy to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards sustainablesocio-economic recovery.
The Vietnamese PM said the two sidesshould cooperate more actively to secure equal access to vaccine sources, anidea highly valued by the Philippine President.
Regarding regional and internationalissues, both agreed that their countries will strengthen ties and support eachother at multilateral mechanisms like the United Nations and ASEAN. They alsoconcurred in working closely together to implement the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
The leaders shared the view on the importance ofcontinuing to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and principles relevant to the EastSea issue.
They affirmed the close coordination oftheir stances and viewpoints to ensure the full and effective implementation ofthe Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and acceleratethe negotiation on a Code of Conduct (COC) on the waters between ASEAN andChina in order to achieve an effective and substantive COC that accords withinternational law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, thereby helpingto sustain regional peace and stability.
On this occasion, President Duterteinvited PM Chinh to pay an official visit to the Philippines. The Vietnameseleader accepted the invitation with pleasure./.
VNA
