Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on October 11 agreed to soon finalise the Vietnam-Philippines action plan for 2018-2023 in order to facilitate cooperation in the time to come.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Bali, Indonesia, on October 11. (Photo: VNA)

The consensus was reached during their meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on the fringes of the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering (ALG) and the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).

The leaders looked into bilateral collaboration in major areas such as national defence, security, economy, trade, education, energy, and maritime affiliation.

They consented to coordinating closely with each other to materialise important cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Cooperation.

Both highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation in maritime affairs and creating conditions for fishermen of the two countries to operate legally, safely, and sustainably.

The leaders also concurred to intensify affiliation within ASEAN and affirmed the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea; as well as settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They reiterated their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early completion of the effective, practical, and legally-binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Phuc spoke highly of the visit to Vietnam by Vice President of the Philippine Democratic Party-Power of the Nation (PDP-Laban) Alfonso Gaba Cusi in August to sign a document establishing relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The PM noted his belief that cooperation between the two countries via the party channel would contribute to increasing mutual trust and creating opportunities for the two sides to talk further on strategic issues.

President Duterte said the Philippines continues to consider Vietnam a close friend and wishes to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

He also suggested the two sides intensify their exchange of high-level delegations./.

VNF/VNA