An impetus for Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership

PANO – The ongoing visit to Vietnam of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been the first visit of a Philippine president to Vietnam since the two countries established a strategic partnership.

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is on an official visit to Vietnam from September 28 to 29, at the invitation of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

The visit is even more significant as the two countries are in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

40 years ago, Vietnam and the Philippines officially established their diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976.

Over the past 40 years, Vietnam-Philippines relations have continuously been growing on the basis of friendship, equality, mutual respect and cooperation for interests of each nation. The bilateral relations have seen a number of encouraging developments in economics, politics, defense and security, and socio-culture.

Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Roa Duterte (R) reviewing the guards-of-honor of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: vnexpress.net

In terms of trade, the two countries enjoyed good growth in two way trade in recent years. It was valued at US$ 2.92 billion in 2015 and US$ 1.72 billion in the first 7 months of 2016.

The Philippines is one of a few ASEAN markets that Vietnam has enjoyed a trade surplus of more than US$ one billion since 2008 with its principal exports of rice, electronics and agricultural produce.

The two sides are effectively exploiting other areas of cooperation such as agriculture, culture, education and tourism.

Defense cooperation is also expanded toward practical outcomes. The two sides just held the second deputy defense ministerial level dialogue in April 2016.

The two sides are actively realizing signed deals, including Agreement to establish a hotline between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard signed in October 2011, Agreement on cooperation and information sharing between the Vietnam Navy and Philippine Navy signed in October 2011, and Protocol for Vietnamese and Philippine naval exchange on Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) and Song Tu Dong (Northeast Cay) Islands, parts of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, signed in March 2012.

Maritime cooperation continues to serve as a pillar of the two countries, focusing on maritime security and freedom, sea economy and search and rescue at sea.

The two sides has formed the Joint Working Group on Maritime and Oceanic Issues, which holds meetings annually, and has founded the Joint Committee on Maritime and Oceanic Issues at the deputy foreign minister level which had the first meeting in February 2012 and second session in September 2015.

Vietnam and the Philippines frequently exchange visits of high-ranking delegations.

Leaders of the two countries have collaborated closely with each other and with other ASEAN countries’ leaders in building on a united and strong ASEAN Community and promoting the central role of ASEAN in dealing with major issues relating to regional security as well as national interests of individual ASEAN member countries.

Vietnam and the Philippines often back and advocate each other in regional and international forums.

The visit to Vietnam of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte takes place after the two countries signed a Joint Statement on the establishment of  the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership in November 2015.

Thus, the visit is seen as an impetus to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas, contributing to maintaining regional peace, stability and development.

In early September 2016 at a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xua Phuc in Laos, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte affirmed that the Philippines attached importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam, and stressed that Vietnam is not only a “good neighbor”, but also a “dear brother”.

In this spirit, the visit is a good chance for the two sides to concretize and further deploy the contents of the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership, particularly in politics, security, defense, economics and trade.

The Vietnamese people firmly believe that the visit of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will refuel bilateral comprehensive cooperation, bringing benefits to each nation and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Written by Editorial Board