Filipino Foreign Secretary: Vietnamese fishermen are friends

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts reception for Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Lopez Locsin Jr. at the Government Office in Ha Noi on July 8, 2019. Photo: VGP

Secretary Locsin made the above statement during his courtesy call  on Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Government Office this afternoon.

In his remarks at the United Nations recently, Secretary Locsin extended thanks to Viet Nam for having rescued 22 Filipino fishermen at sea last June.

Meanwhile, PM Phuc said the two countries have maintained good coordination at international forums.

He recalled his meeting with the Philippines’ President Duterte on the sidelines of the 34^th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, during which the latter thanked the Government and fishermen of Viet Nam for rescuing the Filipino fishermen, which, as President Duterte said, reflected the ASEAN spirit of mutual assistance.

As the strategic partners, both sides should beef up the bilateral ties across all fields, especially trade and investment cooperation, said Phuc.

He affirmed Viet Nam highly values the Philippines’ role in ASEAN, affirming Viet Nam supports the Philippines to well undertake the role as the country coordinator of the ASEAN-China relations for the 2019-2021 period.

Phuc also expects the Philippines to back and coordinate closely with Viet Nam as the ASEAN Chair and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since 2020.

Regarding the East Sea, PM Phuc stressed both countries should continue close coordination and support each other in this issue in order to ensure that the East Sea is a peaceful and friendly region./.

By Huong Giang