President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to boost partnership to enhance the two countries’ ties in the defense, trade, investment, agriculture, and maritime security.
During a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, Marcos said that he is eagerly waiting to work closely with Vietnam and have greater engagement toward stronger ties.
“As we have observed, the Philippines and Vietnam since the beginning of our diplomatic relationship have had a burgeoning, a growing relationship, both in the political and security side and of course, in terms of trade and in people-to-people exchanges,” Marcos said.
The President is also hopeful that Vietnam will aid the country in ensuring food security as it accounts for 90 percent of the country’s rice imports.
The Philippines has reestablished the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Ho Chi Minh this year to enhance the economic ties between Vietnam and the Philippines.
The Chief Executive also cited the need for ASEAN to find a common ground in addressing various concerns including the tension in Taiwan and resolving the crisis in Myanmar which he stressed as issues that are of ‘extreme importance’ and of ‘extreme urgency.’
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chinh lauded Marcos for an efficient pandemic response and for having one of the highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Asia.
“I wish to send my congratulations to the People of the Philippines for containing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining a high growth rate of GDP,” Prime Minister Chinh said during the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and related summits.
