Vietnam, Philippines hold 10th meeting of joint commission on bilateral cooperation
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 10th meeting of the countries’ joint commission on bilateral cooperation in Hanoi on August 2.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Philippinecounterpart Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 10th meeting of the countries’ joint commission on bilateral cooperation in Hanoi on August 2.
Manalo, who is on an officialvisit to Vietnam, affirmed that the Philippines always values consolidating anddeveloping the friendly and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, its solestrategic partner in ASEAN.
In response, Son emphasisedthe significance of Manalo’s trip in further promoting the bilateral strategicpartnership.
At the function, the sidesconducted a comprehensive review and evaluation of the bilateral relationshipsince the 9th meeting held in Manila in March 2019 as well as of theimplementation of the Vietnam-Philippines action programme for 2019-2024. They expressedtheir satisfaction with the sound development of the ties over the past fouryears, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both sides agreed uponvarious specific measures to continue promoting collaboration across spheres,including high-level exchanges and contacts, especially the organisation of PhilippinePresident Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.'s visit to Vietnam at an appropriatetime.
They aimed to effectively carryout bilateral cooperation mechanisms; advance the buildingof an action programme implementing the Vietnam-Philippines strategicpartnership for 2025-2030; and to strengthen defence and security cooperation.Moreover, they agreed to strive to bring bilateral trade turnover to 10billion USD at an early date, with a particular emphasis on rice trade.
They pledged to enhancemaritime cooperation, share information and coordinate to promptly addressarising issues at sea, and improve the effectiveness of cooperation incombating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Additionally,they concurred to promote collaboration in other important areas such as agriculture,culture, tourism, education, transport, science-technology, environment, andpeople-to-people exchange.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam and the Philippineswill continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums,especially in ASEAN and the United Nations; as well as working with otherASEAN member states to maintain ASEAN's solidarity and centrality and promote thebloc’s sub-regional cooperation, contributing to building a strong andprosperous community.
The two ministers also agreedto strengthen cooperation between their foreign ministries, regardingexchanges on international and regional issues of mutual concern, and jointworks between their diplomatic academies.
Concluding the meeting, the ministerssigned an agreement and agreed to organise the 11th meeting in thePhilippines at a suitable time in 2025./.
An official visit to the Philippines by Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to help reinforce the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue on November 24 reiterated the goal of lifting two-way trade between Vietnam and the Philippines to 10 billion USD in a more balanced manner by 2026 when they celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The 10th meeting of the Vietnam-Philippines Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns (JPWG-MOC) took place in Ha Long City, the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 15-16.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo. (Photo: VNA) 
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
