Philippines, Vietnam meet at ASEAN Summit to elevate strategic partnership

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo met with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday at the 46th ASEAN Summit to discuss elevating their strategic partnership.

The two ministers expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation in defense, maritime security, economic ties, socio-cultural relations, and further elevate their relationship into a 'comprehensive strategic partnership'.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted productive conversations regarding a comprehensive strategic partnership, reaffirming commitment to develop bilateral diplomatic relations.

Vietnam recently protested claims by both the Philippines and China over a disputed reef in the South China Sea, asserting its sovereignty over Sandy Cay while Manila maintains a coast guard monitoring base on Thitu Island near the contested Sandy Cay reef.

Both nations are ready to hold talks to resolve competing claims to the undersea continental shelf diplomatically.

The two leaders also recognized expanding economic and trade cooperation, strengthened collaboration in agriculture and food security, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges in education, tourism, and cultural engagement.