Congratulating Ambassador Montealegre on the successful completion of his term amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other complex developments, PM Chinh praised the ambassador’s personal contributions to boosting bilateral relations in recent years.

He noted that during Ambassador Montealegre’s tenure, the two countries effectively implemented the Action Program for the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership for the 2019-2024 period.

High-level exchanges and contacts were maintained, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid a State visit to Vietnam and witnessed the signing of five cooperation documents across various fields, thus adding fresh impetus to bilateral ties.

Extending his condolences to the Filipino people over heavy losses caused by recent storms and natural disasters, PM Chinh said Vietnam stands ready to support the Philippines within its capacity and announced the provision of 2,000 tonnes of rice to help the country ease current difficulties.

Conveying regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong and other Vietnamese Party and State leaders to President Marcos and Philippine leaders, the Government leader said that further deepening Vietnam-Philippines relations serves the interests of both peoples and contributes to building a united, cohesive and resilient ASEAN, while supporting peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

To further realize the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership effectively, he proposed that the two sides intensify high-level and all-level exchanges across all channels, make better use of existing cooperation mechanisms, coordinate the development of a new action program for the next phase, and mark the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 in a substantive manner.

PM Chinh also called for enhanced trade and investment promotion, continued maritime and ocean cooperation, and closer coordination in climate change response, disaster relief and search and rescue. He urged stronger cooperation in dealing with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and in potential areas such as agriculture, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, development of a shared ASEAN database and high-quality human resource development.

He said Vietnam remains a reliable partner and a stable rice supplier for the Philippines, suggesting that, based on the existing memorandum of understanding on rice trade cooperation, the two sides consider concluding a long-term and stable agreement on rice exports and imports.

Stressing the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality, particularly on issues such as the East Sea, Cambodia-Thailand tensions and Myanmar, the host leader said Vietnam supports the Philippines in successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2026. He urged the Philippines to continue supporting ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea, accelerate negotiations toward an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC), and help maintain peace, stability, freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

He also called for continued coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the United Nations and APEC.

Thanking PM Pham Minh Chinh for the meeting and for his expressions of sympathy for disaster victims in the Philippines, Ambassador Montealegre also conveyed condolences over losses suffered by the Vietnamese people due to recent natural disasters.

The ambassador expressed appreciation for the support and assistance of the Vietnamese Government, the PM and the Vietnamese people for the Philippine Embassy and for him personally during challenging times, which helped promote bilateral relations and achieve important results across various fields.

Expressing agreement with PM Chinh’s views, Ambassador Montealegre said the Philippines will continue efforts to uphold ASEAN unity and centrality. He voiced hope for Vietnam’s support for his nation’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and for continued close coordination to reinforce solidarity within ASEAN.

Philippines, Vietnam bolster defence ties at 7th Policy Dialogue

VOV.VN - Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Central Military Commission’s Standing Committee, and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Irineo C. Espino, Philippine Undersecretary of National Defence, co-chaired the 7th Vietnam-Philippines Defence Policy Dialogue on November 26 in Hanoi.

Philippines, Vietnam bolster maritime law enforcement cooperation

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s Coast Guard ship 8002 of Flotilla 21, Coast Guard Region 2 Command, has visited the Philippines for bilateral exchanges with the Philippine Coast Guard in early October, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership (2015-2025) and in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1976-2026).