President active in the Philippines
State President Truong Tan Sang on October 28 received Philippines Secretary of National Defence, Voltaire Gazmin, and representatives of leading businesses in the country.
During talks with Voltaire Gazmin, President Sang expressed his delight at the development of Vietnam-Philippines cooperation in national defence. He spoke highly of the signing of a memorandum of understanding on strengthening co-operation and sharing information between the two countries' naval forces and an agreement on establishing a hotline between the Vietnam maritime police and the Philippines coast guard.
The Vietnamese State leader also proposed that both sides exchange national defence delegations at all levels to promote mutual trust and understanding.
The two sides emphasized the necessity of information sharing and cooperation between ASEAN countries to ensure peace, stability, marine security, safety and freedom in the East Sea. They agreed that disputes should be settled through peaceful negotiations in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLO 1982) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)
They also committed to expanding cooperation to non-traditional security and working closely with each other in regional security forums, including the East Asia Summit in November.
While meeting with the Philippine businesses, Mr Sang highlighted their achievements in overcoming challenges of the recent global economic crisis to become leading groups in Southeast Asia.
He reaffirmed that Vietnam always creates favourable conditions for foreign businesses which are interested in investing in Vietnam. He said he hopes these groups will expand their operation in Vietnam and create more jobs for local people.
The State leader asked Vietnamese and Filipino businesses to learn more about each other, thus contributing to enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
During a working session with the Vietnamese embassy and the Vietnamese community in the Philippines, Mr Sang briefed them on the social, economic, and political situation in the country as well as the Party and State’s recent policies.
He acknowledged the embassy’s efforts in implementing Party and State policies and working closely with Filipino authorities to settle issues related to Vietnamese fishermen in the country. The State leader urged the embassy to try their best to develop stronger bilateral relations with the Philippines.
He emphasized that the Vietnamese community in the Philippines is an inseparable part of Vietnam and hoped that they will help each other to integrate well in their new society, as well as preserve and uphold their tradition.
President Sang and his entourage left Manila, the Philippines later the same day, concluding an official 3-day visit to the island nation.