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President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son (R) receives President of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association Mario Ferdinand Anyon Pasion on May 29 in Hanoi. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Phan Anh Son, the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association regularly organize delegation exchanges. However, in the past 5 years, due to objective reasons, the visits have not been organized regularly. This visit by the delegation of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association is of great significance, taking place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries (November 17, 2015 - November 17, 2025).

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), VUFO welcomed more than 120 international delegates to Vietnam, including delegates from the Philippines. These are friends who have supported Vietnam for many years in the struggle for national independence and are continuing to accompany Vietnam in the period of development and integration.

Given the unpredictable developments in the world and the region, Vietnam and the Philippines need to learn from each other's experiences and strengthen cooperation in many fields. The two countries also need to promote cooperation with other ASEAN countries for peace and stability in the region and the world.

Regarding people-to-people diplomacy, the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association and the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association need to strengthen coordination and information exchange; help people of the two countries better understand the Vietnam - Philippines strategic partnership and the role of the two Associations. The two Associations need to actively exchange and share the viewpoints and aspirations for peace of the people of the two countries. Phan Anh Son proposed that the two Associations discuss initiatives to increase the participation of young people in the Association's activities and strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions of the two countries.

President of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association Mario Ferdinand Anyon Pasion said that he and his family have deep affection and close relations with Vietnam. He said that Vietnam, the Philippines, and ASEAN countries need to strengthen coordination in tariff negotiations with the United States and promote the settlement of disputes in the South China Sea through diplomatic means. He agreed to increase exchanges and coordination between the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association and the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association, and proposed that the two Associations promote exchanges and training cooperation between students and universities on security and military of the two countries; and promote cooperation in the fields of finance and business.

President of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association Phung Duc Tien (L) and President of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association Mario Ferdinand Anyon Pasion signed the working minutes. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On the same day, the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association received and worked with the delegation of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association. Speaking at the reception, Phung Duc Tien, President of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, highly appreciated the good relationship between Vietnam and the Philippines, especially in trade, agriculture, and fisheries. Phung Duc Tien believes that Vietnam - Philippines cooperation will develop further, meeting the expectations of the governments and people of the two countries.

President of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association Mario Ferdinand Anyon Pasion thanked the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association for its reception. For many years, the two associations have maintained close and effective cooperation. The Philippines has a traditional friendship with Vietnam. During Vietnam's resistance war for independence, the Philippines opposed the United States' request to send troops to Vietnam. In return, the Philippines sent experts, doctors, and engineers to support Vietnam. He expressed his hope that the relationship between the two countries will continue to develop further in the future.

At the meeting, the President of the Vietnam - Philippines Friendship Association and the President of the Philippines - Vietnam Friendship Association signed a working minutes, which states that they agreed on the direction of future cooperation, towards the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines (November 17, 2015 - November 17, 2025) and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (July 12, 1976 - July 12, 2026).

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