Vietnam, Philippines vow to deepen partnership

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang met his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Duterte here on Thursday and the two sides vowed to deepen strategic partnership in the coming time.

The Filipino guest said during their meeting that his country attaches importance to ties with Vietnam and ready to boost all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

Quang, for his part, welcomed Filipino investors in Vietnam in areas of agriculture, food processing, and tourism. He also urged the Philippine side to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese investors to join infrastructure, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, mining and other services in the Philippines.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on rice trade in the coming time. Vietnam pledges to provide stable and long-term rice shipments to the Philippines, reported the e-Portal of the Vietnamese government.

Quang and Duterte also consented to further boost effectiveness of current collaboration mechanisms, bolster education, training and research ties, as well as share experience on participation of the United Nations peacekeeping force.

Two leaders also agreed that two countries' security agencies will share information, experience and cooperate in fighting all kinds of crimes such as terrorists, hi-tech crimes, drug and human trafficking among others.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, Vietnam and the Philippines have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security, and stability in the region.

The two leaders called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law.

On the same day, the visiting Philippine president paid a courtesy call on General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, and met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Duterte is touring Vietnam from Wednesday to Thursday at the invitation of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. Endit