Gen. Binh expressed his delight at the development of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines. He emphasized that the two countries have paid due attention to the bilateral defense cooperation over the past time and the ties have seen practical outcomes in such fields as all-level delegation exchanges, effective maintenance of consultation and dialogue mechanisms, cooperation between arms and services, training, mutual support and coordination in ASEAN-led multilateral forums and mechanisms.

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Lt. Gen. Nguyen Trong Binh (R) receives Vice Admiral Toribio Dulinayan Adaci Jr.

The Vietnamese official highly appreciated the results of effective and substantive cooperation between the two navies in the past. He suggested the two navies continue upholding contact and work channels at all levels, exchange and cooperation mechanisms; further collaborate in maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; enhance direct communication, regularly update situations, effectively and promptly deal with sea-related contingencies, and humanely treat fishermen encroaching on each other’s waters.

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Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Vietnam presents a souvenir to the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy.

Gen. Binh confirmed that the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam supports the Philippine counterpart, with the Philippine Navy as the key, in fulfilling its role as co-chair of the Experts’ Working Group of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on Maritime Security in the 2024-2027 period.

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Lt. Gen. Nguyen Trong Binh, Vice Admiral Toribio Dulinayan Adaci Jr., and other delegates in a group photo

Vice Admiral Toribio Dulinayan Adaci Jr. expressed thanks to the two countries’ defense ministries for creating favorable conditions for the two navies to cooperate. He highlighted the two navies’ effective maintenance of cooperation momentum. He stressed that the Philippine Navy treasures the cooperative ties with the Vietnam People’s Navy, especially in maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Translated by Mai Huong