The Vietnamese delegation was led by Naval Captain Nguyen Viet Thuan, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4 of the Vietnam People’s Navy, while the guest side was headed by Captain Tagamolila, Commander of Naval Task Force 41 of the Philippine Navy.
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Naval Captain Nguyen Viet Thuan welcomes Captain Tagamolila |
Following the success of the fourth event held on Song Tu Dong Island of the Philippines in November 2018, this time’s event aimed to further consolidate and expand the friendship, cooperation, and mutual trust and understanding between the two militaries and navies, contributing to effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two navies on bilateral cooperation and information sharing.
This activity was under the Standard Operating Procedures on the Personnel Interaction on Song Tu Dong and Song Tu Tay Islands between Vietnam People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy signed in March 2012, creating a friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding between their forces on the two islands and ensuring peace and security in the East Sea (South China Sea).
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The two sides at a meeting to share regional maritime information |
In his remarks, Naval Captain Thuan expressed his delight at the development of the Vietnam-Philippines relations, particularly in defense cooperation. He underlined that the two above inked documents serve as a foundation to promote the friendship and coordination between their navies to a new height.
The Vietnamese head delegate emphasized that the interaction demonstrated the both sides’ aspirations and willingness to build a stable peaceful environment in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands in particular and the East Sea in general. This activity also showed the responsibility of the navies for their serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
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At a volleyball friendly match |
For his part, Captain Tagamolila thanked the Vietnamese side for hosting the recent interaction and stressed that such practical activity would further foster mutual trust and understanding between the two navies to contribute to developing the bilateral friendship relations and to maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety in the waters of each country and of the region.
Under the framework of the interaction, the two sides discussed and shared information related to situations in the waters of Song Tu Tay and Song Tu Dong Islands as well as several issues of mutual concern, such as anti-piracy, smuggling, illegal immigration, maritime accidents, and natural disasters.
Additionally, they held many artistic exchanges and sport activities such as volleyball and tug of war.
Translated by Van Hieu