VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III have shared their deep concern about the "current extremely dangerous situation in the East Sea".

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) talks to Phillipine President Benigno S. Aquino III as part of his visit to the Phillipines to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2014.

Meeting in Manila yesterday, May 21, the two said that China had conducted many actions in violation of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as the waters of coastal countries.

Both sides discussed concrete measures to further bilateral co-operation. They said this was in the interests of each country as well as for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

The two sides agreed to actively carry out reached agreements on defence and security, accelerate negotiations for the signing of an Extradition Agreement and boost co-operation in the logistics and defence industry.

The two countries will actively consult and support each other at regional arenas for defence and security, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Both leaders re-affirmed sea and ocean co-operation as a pillar in bilateral ties and agreed to continue regular exchanges of viewpoints at bilateral events, such as the Joint Committee on Sea and Ocean Co-operation and the Group of Legal Experts on Marine Issues.

The two countries will promote co-operation in fisheries, marine science research, hydrometeorology and marine environment protection.

During their talks, the two leaders informed each other about their respective countries' socio-economic development and achievements.

PM Dung congratulated the Philippine Government on reaching a peace agreement with rebels that ended decades of conflict and paved the way for development in the southern part of the country.

President Aquino thanked Viet Nam for valuable assistance it gave to the Philippines to overcome the serious consequences of typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Both leaders agreed that bilateral relations were thriving and agreed to continue strengthening the friendship and multi-faceted co-operation in the spirit of the "bilateral cooperation framework in the first 25 years of the 21st century and following period."

They reached a common perception on orientations to develop these ties.

The two leaders agreed to increase the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels and enhance co-operation via Party and parliament channels and people-to-people exchange.

High-ranking leaders from the two countries will make use of a wide range of communications, such as visits, phone talks and sideline meetings to enhance contacts.

Dung and his host spoke of their determination to implement the Viet Nam-Philippines Action Programme in the 2011-16 period and continue stepping up collaboration through the bilateral co-operation committee mechanism.

PM Dung and President Aquino also agreed to continue boosting economic-trade-investment relations with a view to bringing two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2016.

The two sides will create favourable conditions for their businesses to seek co-operation opportunities, strengthen economic connectivity and ensure food security.

In addition to co-operation in finance, banking and services, they will encourage the expansion of relations in other potential areas, such as culture, education, health, science-technology, and tourism.

Regarding measures to deepen bilateral ties, the two leaders agreed to set up a joint working committee led by the two foreign ministries. It will be responsible for building a roadmap towards a strategic partnership and will be soon submitted to the two countries for approval.

Later in the day, PM Dung and President Aquino held a joint press conference to announce the outcomes of their talks.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Government leader laid a wreath at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh at the ASEAN Park in Manila.

Source: VNS