KUALA LUMPUR – The Philippines and Vietnam had “productive conversations” regarding a comprehensive strategic partnership, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed that the Philippines is eyeing to elevate its strategic partnership with Vietnam.
In a bilateral meeting between Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, they reaffirmed their commitment to develop the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
“Our ministers are in discussion on the possibility of elevating the strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. I believe there are already productive conversations between our two countries,” the President said.
For his part, the Vietnamese leader acknowledged the “remarkable progress” in bilateral relations since Marcos’ state visit to Vietnam in January 2024.
“I hope that it has come to the point where we can elevate the strategic partnership between our two countries,” the Vietnamese Prime Minister said.
Further, the two leaders recognized the need to expand economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.
They also aim to strengthen collaboration in agriculture and food security and enhanced people-to-people exchanges in education, tourism, and cultural engagement.
This year, the Philippines and Vietnam commemorate the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, marking a decade of strengthened cooperation and enduring friendship between the two nations.
During the meeting, Marcos also extended his condolences to the Vietnamese leader on the passing of former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong on May 20, 2025. —RF, GMA Integrated News
