Philippines, Vietnam on the Road to Becoming Strategic Partners

Manila — Hon. Evan P. Garcia, Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, headed the Philippine delegation to meet with Viet Nam counterparts last September 14 for the Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOM) of the 8th Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Commission on Bilateral Relations (JCBC) and the 2nd Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Commission on Maritime and Ocean Concerns (JCMOC) held in the capital city of Hanoi, Viet Nam.

The Viet Nam delegation was headed by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Dang Minh Khoi.

The SOM-level meeting for the 8th JCBC is in preparation for the Ministerial Meeting slated in October 2015 between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Albert F. del Rosario and Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Pham Binh Minh.

The SOM-level meeting of the 8th JCBC took into consideration the growth of the bilateral relations between the two countries over the past four decades and provided direction for future cooperation.

Among the highlights of the meeting were discussions of the imminent signing of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Philippines and Viet Nam. Also discussed was the visit of Viet Nam President H.E. Truong Tan Sang to Manila on November to participate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, as well as the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations on 12 July 2016.

Usec. Garcia explained during the meeting that “the upgrading of the relationship between the Philippines and Viet Nam to a Strategic Partnership is a logical step in substantiating the strength of our bilateral relationship.”

Usec. Garcia and Vice Minister Khoi agreed that there is great potential for cooperation on both sides for enhancing political cooperation, cooperation in defense, security, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, science, technology, environment, education, culture, and tourism.

The two sides emphasized the importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges and acknowledged the goodwill that exists between the peoples of both countries.

Vice Minister Khoi said during the meetings that “We are two friends. There are no issues in which we cannot support each other. We are very sincere with each other, that’s why we’re upgrading our relationship.”

For the 2nd JCMOC, the Philippines and Viet Nam exchanged information and views on the recent developments in the South China Sea. Both countries affirmed their commitment to uphold the rule of law in the region, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, called for the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC).

Later that day, Usec. Evan Garcia called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. Foreign Minister Minh welcomed the progress of the meetings that were earlier conducted. Both sides expressed their delight at the strong, stable and growing relations between the two countries. (DFA)