Cooperation boosted with the Philippines

A new cooperation framework between Vietnam and the Philippines will pave the way for both nations to further expand political and economic ties.

- Thanh Thu

After concluding a state visit to Singapore and attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam arrived in the Philippines, in which he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. upgraded bilateral relations to an enhanced strategic partnership.

President Marcos Jr. proclaimed that Vietnam is the only country in Southeast Asia with which the Philippines maintains a strategic partnership, underscoring the importance the Philippines attaches to the bilateral relationship.

“The formal elevation of ties will further strengthen bilateral relations and usher in a new phase of cooperation in the fields of politics, defence and security, and other substantive sectors for the benefit of the two peoples, as well as for regional peace, stability, and development,” stated the Department of Information and Press (DIP) under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides have agreed to coordinate closely in formulating an action programme to implement the new framework in the coming period.

When it comes to political cooperation, the two leaders reaffirmed that high-level exchanges between the Philippines and Vietnam demonstrate mutual trust and commitment to the bilateral relationship, and foster goodwill between the two peoples.