By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Vietnamese President To Lam arrived in Manila on Sunday for a two-day state visit aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.
To Lam and his wife, Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, arrived aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 12:40 p.m. and were accorded full arrival honors.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the Vietnamese leader on behalf of the Philippine government.
Malacañang earlier said the visit carries special significance as it comes as the Philippines and Vietnam prepare to mark five decades of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership.
The state visit is also the first by a Vietnamese Communist Party leader to the Philippines.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to formally welcome To Lam in Malacañang on Monday before holding bilateral talks focused on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, food security, defense and maritime cooperation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Vietnam remains the Philippines’ only strategic partner in Southeast Asia and one of its key economic and security partners in the region.
The visit comes weeks after President Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung agreed on the establishment of a long-term rice trade mechanism during the recent ASEAN Summit, aimed at ensuring stable rice supply and strengthening food security cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam is among the Philippines’ largest rice suppliers and plays a critical role in helping stabilize domestic rice supply and prices.
The two countries have also intensified cooperation against transnational crimes, including online scam operations and human trafficking, while seeking to expand tourism and economic exchanges.
More than 7,000 Filipinos currently live and work in Vietnam, reflecting growing people-to-people ties between the two nations. (PNA)
