VN, Philippines review bilateral cooperation

The two FMs reviewed the outcomes of the implementation of the agreements reached at the previous meeting of the Committee and the Viet Nam-Philippines Action Plan for the 2011-2016 period.

Both sides agreed to maintain visits at all levels and people-to-people exchanges in order to increase mutual understanding and trust.

Regarding defense cooperation, the two countries agreed to continue realizing the agreement on defense cooperation signed in October 2010, the memorandum of understanding on enhanced liaison and information sharing between the two navies and an agreement on the establishment of a hotline between the Viet Nam Maritime Police and the Coast Guard Force of the Philippines.

Viet Nam and the Philippines will also coordinate closely to cope with non-traditional security challenges.

The two FMs held that sea and ocean cooperation is a pillar of the bilateral relations. The two countries have established the Joint Committee on Sea and Ocean at deputy foreign ministerial level.

They also debated on measures o effectively realize the agreement on coping with oil spills and another on search and rescue.

The two countries pledged to closely coordinate in building the ASEAN Community by 2015 and uphold the centrality of ASEAN in addressing regional issues.

For the East Sea issue, the two sides stressed on principles of maintaining peace, stability, maritime safety and security, observing international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, welcoming the ASEAN’s six-point principles on the East Sea, and affirming their close coordination for early conclusion of he Code of Conduct.

FM Minh and his Filipino signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of the meeting and agreed to convene the next meeting in Viet Nam in 2015./.

By Hai Minh