Before the opening of the program, the two head delegates shared information relating to search and rescue, maritime security, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and disaster alerts in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Captain Carlos Sabarre affirmed that the fourth event would continue promoting spirit of the program to further boost mutual understanding and trust as well as to consolidate cooperation between the two navies in different services.
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Two heads of the delegations at the flag saluting ceremony |
He believed that the success of the program would strengthen the relationship between the two naval units stationed on the neighboring islands in particular and the two navies in general as well as the friendship of the two countries in the coming time.
On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Senior Captain Nguyen Viet Thuan laid stress on the fine development of Vietnam-Philippines relations in different fields over the past years, saying that Vietnam and the Philippines always support each other and share the same views on regional and international issues and are active members of the ASEAN community.
The Vietnamese head delegate also said that relations between the two navies have been developing in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and information sharing. The personnel exchange mechanism has created favorable conditions for naval forces of the two countries to meet and share their practical experiences and issues of mutual concern in order to promote mutual trust and understanding, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region and strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two navies and two militaries.
Apart from an artistic exchange and friendly sports events, including football, volleyball, tug of war and sack race, crew-members on Vietnam’s Ship 561 and the Philippines’ Frigate FF17 practiced international marine flag signaling, checking suspected ships, and conducting search and rescue activities on map.
These activities helped promote coordination between the two naval forces in coping with natural disasters, conducting search and rescue missions, sharing information relating to maritime safety and security and safeguarding security in Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) and Song Tu Dong islands, contributing to ensuring peace, stability and security in the East Sea (South China Sea).
At the end of the event, the two sides reached consensus on activities in the fifth edition of the exchange with the focus on promoting information sharing and coordination in search and rescue missions.
The two head delegates affirmed that the success of fourth event, contributed to strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding and trust between the two navies.
Reported by Huu Duong from Northeast Cay
Translated by Tran Hoai