Vietnam, Philippines agree to strengthen ASEAN's central role

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the morning of May 25, within the framework of the 46th ASEAN Summit and related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and the Philippine Foreign Minister agreed to give high priority to strengthening political trust, promoting high-level delegation exchanges, effectively implementing the Action Program to implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2025-2030 period between the two countries; continuing to deepen the strategic partnership in important areas such as defense-security, economy, trade-investment, agricultural cooperation, and food security.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son asked the Philippines to support Vietnam's candidacy for important multilateral mechanisms in the coming time; and continue to coordinate effectively and closely at regional and international organizations and forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, and APEC.

Vietnam will actively join other ASEAN member countries in supporting the Philippines to successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair 2026 with the set goals and priorities, contributing to building a united, self-reliant and sustainably developed ASEAN community, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed.

The two sides agreed to strengthen ASEAN's central role in resolving regional issues, including the East Sea issue, ensure full and serious implementation of the DOC, and promote an effective and efficient COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS./.

Hai Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-philippines-nhat-tri-tang-cuong-vai-tro-trung-tam-cua-asean-102250525174705623.htm