Deputy Defense Minister meets with Filipino counterpart

At the meeting, the Filipino defense undersecretary expressed his honor to welcome Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and the Vietnamese high-ranking defense delegation to the Philippines. He stressed that the visit of the Vietnamese delegation is meaningful, contributing to enhancing political trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two militaries. The Philippines’ defense undersecretary hoped that the two defense ministries will continue organizing high-ranking meetings, contributing to improving the effectiveness of strategic cooperation in aspects of mutual concern.

In turn, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong thanked the host for a warm welcome. He conveyed greetings of Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang to Senior Undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines Jose Faustino Jr.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and the Vietnamese high-ranking defense delegation are welcomed by Filipino Defense Undersecretary Franco Nemesio M.Gacal.

General Cuong expressed his deep sympathy over the losses suffered by the Filipino people and country due to the recent storm in Southern Philippines. He hoped that the Filipino armed forces will help disaster-hit people surmount the consequences of the storm and stabilize their life soon.

The chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army held that Vietnam and the Philippines share a border line at sea and are active members in the ASEAN Community. The two countries are enjoying a good relationship and sharing with each other on numerous strategic issues.

Genera Cuong presenting gifts to his Filipino counterpart

The Philippines is one of the important and preferred partners in Vietnam's foreign policy. The fact that the two countries officially upgraded the Vietnam-Philippines relationship to a strategic partnership in November 2015 has created new motivations and opportunities to develop the two countries' friendship more practically and effectively. On the basis of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two defense ministries signed in October 2010, the two sides have implemented many cooperation contents with practical effectiveness, particularly the discussions of strategies, training and cooperation between arms and services.

An overview of the event

Delegates pose for a joint photo

Undersecretary Franco Nemesio M. Gacal affirmed that the Philippines attaches a lot of importance to the strategic cooperation with Vietnam and hoped that the two defense ministries will enhance exchange, cooperation, and joint activities in the time to come.

Reported by Tien Dat from the Philippines

Translated by Trung Thanh