Strengthening ASEAN solidarity and maintaining a peaceful environment.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and the Philippine Foreign Minister agreed to continue to coordinate closely at international and regional multilateral forums such as ASEAN and the UN.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung held a phone call with Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

On the morning of December 15, Party Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held a telephone conversation with Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro to discuss bilateral relations between Vietnam and the Philippines and a number of regional issues of mutual interest.

Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed Vietnam's support for the Philippines in successfully assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026; and its readiness to work with the Philippines and other member states to maintain ASEAN's unity and central role.

The two Ministers highly appreciated the results of cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership; they agreed to continue promoting the relationship to a new level, implementing high-level and other exchanges of delegations through all channels of the Party, State, Parliament, and people-to-people exchanges, and developing bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, contributing practically to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, digital transformation, agriculture , and maritime and ocean cooperation. The Philippine Foreign Minister affirmed support for Vietnam's efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The two ministers agreed to continue to coordinate closely at international and regional multilateral forums such as ASEAN and the United Nations. Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed his support for the Philippines successfully assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

Discussing a number of international and regional issues, the two ministers shared deep concern over the escalating tensions at the border between Cambodia and Thailand; emphasizing the importance of restraint by all parties involved, enhancing dialogue, reducing tensions, ensuring the security and safety of the people, resolving disagreements peacefully on the basis of international law and existing regional agreements and mechanisms, and promoting practical initiatives to contribute to maintaining a peaceful, stable, secure, and prosperous environment in the region and the world.

Source: https://vtv.vn/tang-cuong-doan-ket-asean-va-duy-tri-moi-truong-hoa-binh-100251215200304668.htm