Philippines and Vietnam Strengthen Maritime Security and Safety Cooperation

Philippines and Vietnam on Monday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in political-security and maritime safety, and upgrade their current strategic partnership to an ‘enhanced strategic partnership’.

The agreement was reached during talks between visiting Vietnamese President To Lam and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, according to a joint statement.

To Lam, who is also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, arrived in Manila on Sunday for his first state visit.

The visit marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and a decade of strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to enhance existing maritime cooperation mechanisms, including implementation of the ‘agreement on prevention and management of incidents’ in the disputed South China Sea, and collaboration between their coast guards.

They also committed to resolving maritime incidents peacefully and amicably in accordance with international law.

The presidents pledged to build on current political-security cooperation, maritime safety and security collaboration, marine environmental protection, expansion of trade and investment, agricultural exchanges, education, tourism, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Both parties expressed their desire to exceed the current bilateral trade target of $10 billion (Rp178.3 trillion) and achieve a balanced trade relationship through expanding two-way trade opportunities, improving market access, and reducing trade and investment barriers.

They committed to strengthening agricultural cooperation through joint research and development, exploring trade and investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, sustainable blue economy, smart agriculture, disaster management, and climate change adaptation.

Both sides also called for closer bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing through information sharing, capacity building, and collaboration in fisheries management and law enforcement.

The leaders witnessed the exchange of several bilateral agreements.