Hanoi, November 23 – The Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, General Phan Van Giang, welcomed Philippine Undersecretary of National Defence Irineo Cruz Espino in Hanoi on November 22. This meeting was part of the fifth Vietnam-Philippine defence policy dialogue, aiming to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to Vietnam News Agency, Minister Giang emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with the Philippines. He highlighted the importance of making defence cooperation more practical and effective, contributing to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Giang also extended an invitation to Philippine defence leaders and business representatives to attend the Vietnam International Defence Expo next year. Espino, in response, assured full implementation of the agreements signed between the two ministries and expressed eagerness to welcome the Vietnamese minister to the Philippines.
During the defence policy dialogue co-chaired by Espino and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, both parties reviewed cooperation outcomes since 2019 and discussed strategic issues. They acknowledged significant achievements in delegation exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. The officers stressed the importance of ASEAN-led mechanisms in regional security architecture and the need for freedom, security, and safety of navigation in the East Sea. They agreed on the urgency of upholding commitments to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and concluding negotiations for a substantive Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The dialogue concluded with both sides committing to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, focusing on delegation exchanges, cooperation in training, logistics, military medicine, search and rescue operations, and the defence industry.
They also agreed to continue mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms, especially those led by ASEAN.