Vietnam, Philippines Agree to Deepen Strategic Partnership Ahead of ASEAN Summit

Cebu, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng reaffirmed Việt Nam’s support for the Philippines as it prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, underscoring the importance of ASEAN unity, solidarity and centrality amid evolving regional and global challenges.

The remarks were made during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday in Cebu ahead of the official opening of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

President Marcos welcomed Prime Minister Hưng on attending the ASEAN Summit for the first time in his capacity as Vietnamese Prime Minister and praised the positive development of the Việt Nam–Philippines Strategic Partnership in recent years. He expressed confidence that both sides would continue to advance substantive and effective cooperation across various sectors.

Prime Minister Hưng thanked the Philippines for its warm reception and highlighted that 2026 would mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He stressed that the Vietnamese Government highly values its Strategic Partnership with the Philippines and remains committed to further strengthening bilateral ties.

President Marcos expressed appreciation for Việt Nam’s active coordination during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship efforts and said Manila looked forward to working closely with Việt Nam and other ASEAN member states to enhance regional economic and trade cooperation while preserving peace, stability and development amid growing global uncertainties.

The Philippine leader noted that the two countries still possess significant potential for cooperation in economy, trade, security and defence, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He also voiced hope for the expansion of direct flight connectivity between cities in both countries and welcomed plans for joint activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

The two leaders agreed to further promote key pillars of the Strategic Partnership, with priority given to high-level and all-level delegation exchanges. They also pledged to facilitate trade with the aim of increasing bilateral trade turnover to US$10 billion and to strengthen cooperation in food security, energy security and marine scientific research.

Both sides agreed to accelerate negotiations and signing of agreements on general education cooperation and the 2026–2029 tourism cooperation programme.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other at multilateral forums and pledged to work together with ASEAN member states and China to advance negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

On the same day, Prime Minister Hưng also held separate meetings with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and President of the Asian Development Bank, Masato Kanda.