PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted the historical significance of the relationship between the Philippines and Viet Nam as he warmly welcomed Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang at Malacañan Palace on Friday.
“This [visit] is actually a very significant point in the history between our two countries, between Viet Nam and the Philippines,” President Marcos told General Phan.
The visit of General Phan is his first to the Philippines since his appointment as the Minister of National Defense on April 8, 2021.
President Marcos cited the vibrant ties between the Philippines and Viet Nam.
”The Philippines and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations and we have continued to progress in those relationships, whereas before comprise only with our diplomatic connection,” President Marcos said.
“We now talk about defense cooperation, security cooperation, maritime cooperation, and certainly, on the area of trade as well. Your visit, I think, will serve as further impetus, further push to increase that – the depth and the range of our relationship,” the President added.”
For his part, General Phan extended his gratitude to President Marcos and the Philippine government for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation upon their arrival in Manila on Friday.
“It is my great honor to convey the greetings and best wishes from our senior leaders from Viet Nam — General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man,” Phan said.
“And from our side, we highly valued and appreciate the state visit to Viet Nam back in January 2024 and that visit opened up new opportunities to further promote and innovate the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Philippines in various areas that you just mentioned,” he added.
General Phan also emphasized the “very good interactions and exchanges” between the Philippines and Viet Nam, particularly the Navy-to-Navy exchanges between the two nations.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said General Phan’s visit to the Philippines will further enhance the ties between the two nations with the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between Manila and Hanoi.
Secretary Teodoro said the agreement can help build momentum for cooperation between the defense and military sectors of the two countries.
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