Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives the Philippine Ambassador.
On the afternoon of January 3rd, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre for a farewell visit, marking the end of his term of service in Vietnam.
Congratulating Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre on successfully completing his term in Vietnam amidst the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and other complex developments, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the Ambassador's positive contributions to promoting bilateral relations in recent years.
According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during the Ambassador's term in Vietnam, both sides effectively implemented the Action Program for the Strategic Partnership in the period 2019-2024; exchanges of delegations and high-level contacts were maintained; President Marcos paid a state visit to Vietnam and witnessed the signing of five documents on cooperation in various fields, creating positive momentum for bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister extended his deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines for the heavy losses caused by the storms and natural disasters; acknowledged that the two countries share many similarities in responding to storms, floods, and natural disasters; affirmed Vietnam's readiness to support the Philippines to the best of its ability and decided to provide 2,000 tons of rice to help the Philippines overcome these difficulties.
Conveying greetings from General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and other leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State to President Marcos and the leaders of the Philippines, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that further deepening Vietnam-Philippines relations not only serves the interests of the people of both countries but also contributes to building a united, strong, and cohesive ASEAN, and makes a positive contribution to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
To continue effectively implementing the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership, the Prime Minister proposed that both sides strengthen exchanges and contacts at high levels and other levels, through all channels; promote cooperation mechanisms; coordinate in developing an action program to implement the relationship in the new phase; and practically commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The Prime Minister proposed that both sides strengthen trade and investment promotion; continue to consolidate cooperation on maritime and ocean affairs; cooperate in combating climate change, responding to natural disasters and search and rescue; coordinate in handling cases related to preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and promote cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, building a common ASEAN database, and developing high-quality human resources…
The Prime Minister stated that Vietnam is committed to always being a reliable partner and a stable source of rice supply for the Philippines, and proposed that, based on the Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade cooperation, the two sides exchange views and sign an agreement on stable and long-term cooperation in rice export and import.
Wishing to strengthen cooperation, consolidate solidarity, and uphold ASEAN's central role, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that, just as he and the ASEAN Chair in 2025 had strived to resolve regional issues for a united and cohesive ASEAN, Vietnam supports the Philippines in successfully assuming the ASEAN Chair role in 2026.
The Prime Minister requested that the Philippines continue to strongly support ASEAN's common stance on the South China Sea issue, promote effective and efficient COC negotiations, and maintain peace, stability, freedom, security, and safety of maritime and air navigation in the South China Sea. He also urged coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, and APEC.
Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre expressed his deep sympathy for the losses suffered by the Vietnamese people due to recent natural disasters, as well as for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy for the victims of natural disasters in the Philippines.
Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre also highly appreciated the decisive and effective leadership and management of the Vietnamese Government; thanked the support and assistance of the Government, the Prime Minister, and the people of Vietnam to the Philippine Embassy and to the Ambassador personally in overcoming difficulties and jointly promoting the relationship between the two countries to achieve important achievements in various fields, laying the foundation for the further development of bilateral relations in the coming years.
Expressing strong agreement with the Prime Minister's remarks, Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre stated that the Philippines is committed to striving to maintain ASEAN unity and its central role; and hopes that Vietnam will support the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 and together maintain unity within the ASEAN family.
