The Philippines and Vietnam signed several bilateral agreements on rice, trade and cultural cooperation as well as agreements to cooperate on maritime security in the South China Sea,
The deals, signed during a state visit to Hanoi by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr last week, will see the two countries’ coastguards working together to prevent and manage incidents in the disputed waters.
Witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo exchanged documents with Minister Bui Thanh Son on Incident Prevention and Management in the South China Sea.
The South China Sea is at the center of dispute between China, the Philippines and other countries that include Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia. China claims almost the entire sea as its sovereign territory, while the Philippines, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations claim various islands, islets, reefs and shoals around their coasts.
An estimated $5 trillion in international trade passes through the waters each year.
During the state visit of President Marcos, Jr., Philippines and Vietnam agreed to enhance coordination regarding maritime issues bilaterally, within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and with other dialogue partners.
On the other hand, PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan and Vietnam Coast Guard (VGC) commander Maj. Gen. Le Quang Dao exchanged documents for maritime cooperation meant to strengthen understanding, mutual trust and confidence through the development of a Joint Coast Guard Committee to discuss common issues and interests.
A hotline communication mechanism will be established between the PCG and VCG.
Also signed were agreements on Rice Trade Cooperation, Cooperation in Agriculture and Related Fields, and Cultural Cooperation.
Vietnam agreed on a five-year trade commitment to supply rice to the Philippines, amounting to 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons per year.
President Marcos acknowledged that Vietnam was “the sole strategic partner of the Philippines” in Southeast Asia, stressing that maritime cooperation was the foundation of that relationship.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Marcos’s visit had helped boost bilateral relations.
With additional reports: aljazeera.com
