Vietnam supports the Philippines in successfully chairing ASEAN 2026: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
WVR - According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre's tenure in Vietnam, both sides effectively implemented the Action Program to advance the Strategic Partnership.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre for a farewell visit marking the end of his tenure. (Source: VNA) |
On the afternoon of January 3, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre for a farewell visit, marking the end of his tenure in Vietnam.
Congratulating Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre on successfully completing his tenure in Vietnam amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other complex developments, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the ambassador's positive contributions to advancing bilateral relations in recent years.
According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre's tenure in Vietnam, both sides effectively implemented the Action Program to advance the Strategic Partnership for 2019-2024. High-level exchanges and contacts were maintained, with President Marcos making a state visit to Vietnam and witnessing the signing of five cooperation documents across various fields, creating a positive impetus for bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister extended his deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines for the severe damages caused by storms and natural disasters, affirming that Vietnam is ready to support the Philippines within its capacity and has decided to provide 2,000 tons of rice to help the Philippines overcome these difficulties.
Conveying regards from General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and other Vietnamese Party and State leaders to President Marcos and Philippine leaders, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that deepening Vietnam-Philippines relations not only serves the interests of both peoples but also contributes to building a united, cohesive, and strong ASEAN, positively contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
To continue effectively advancing the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership, the Prime Minister proposed that both sides enhance high-level exchanges and contacts across all channels, leverage cooperation mechanisms, and coordinate to develop an action program for the new phase. This includes commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The Prime Minister suggested that both sides boost trade and investment promotion, continue to strengthen maritime and ocean cooperation, collaborate on climate change mitigation, disaster response, and search and rescue operations. They should also coordinate on addressing issues related to preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promote cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, building a common ASEAN database, and developing high-quality human resources.
The Prime Minister stated that Vietnam is committed to being a reliable partner and stable rice supplier for the Philippines. He proposed that, based on the Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade cooperation, both sides discuss signing an agreement on stable, long-term rice export-import cooperation.
Expressing a desire to enhance cooperation, strengthen solidarity, and uphold ASEAN's central role, especially on issues like the South China Sea, tensions in Cambodia and Thailand, and the Myanmar issue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that, as with the ASEAN Chair in 2025, Vietnam supports the Philippines in successfully chairing ASEAN 2026.
The Prime Minister urged the Philippines to continue to strongly support ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) issue, promote effective COC negotiations, and maintain peace, stability, freedom, security, and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. Additionally, both sides should coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, APEC, etc.
Thanking Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for his time and the sincere condolences extended to the victims of natural disasters in the Philippines, Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre also expressed deep sympathy for the losses suffered by the Vietnamese people due to recent natural disasters.
Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre also thanked the Vietnamese Government, Prime Minister, and people for their support and assistance to the Philippine Embassy and himself in overcoming difficulties and achieving significant accomplishments in bilateral relations across various fields.
Fully agreeing with the Prime Minister's views, Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre stated that the Philippines is committed to maintaining ASEAN's unity and centrality. He expressed a desire for Vietnam's support during the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and for maintaining solidarity within the ASEAN community.
