Marcos, Chinh eye new areas of cooperation

(UPDATES) VIENTIANE, Laos — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have agreed to explore new areas of cooperation as they reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the bilateral meeting here on Tuesday night, Marcos said the official engagements and discussions between the Philippines and Vietnam two years ago are bearing fruit.

«We have made a good deal of progress since our very first discussion and some of the engagements between our two countries. And I am very happy that we will be able to pursue that,» Marcos said.

«And it also gives us the opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation and of partnership,» he added.

The effort to forge cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam comes amid heightened maritime tensions, with Beijing's increasingly assertive actions affecting both countries as it lays claim to nearly the entire South China Sea (SCS).

The Philippines and Vietnam signed agreements in late January this year to prevent incidents in the SCS and broaden cooperation between their coast guards.

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The agreements, along with discussions on enhancing information-sharing and training exchanges between the Philippine and Vietnamese militaries, were forged during Marcos' visit to Hanoi.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 8, 2024 meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as the two leaders seek to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. PHOTOS BY THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 8, 2024 meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as the two leaders seek to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. PHOTOS BY THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 8, 2024 meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as the two leaders seek to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. PHOTOS BY THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 8, 2024 meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as the two leaders seek to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. PHOTOS BY