The Philippines and Vietnam have marked their 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties with a reaffirmation of a strengthened defense cooperation, the Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed Monday, July 26.
In a statement, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana expressed optimism that both countries' defense and military departments will continue to work together by conducting more strategic dialogues, high-level visits, education and training exchanges, intelligence exchangem and defense industry and logistics cooperation among others.
"For the past 45 years, the two countries have shown notable developments of bilateral diplomatic relations through cooperation in various fields, including defense and security," Lorenzana said.
The Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) neighbors commemorated the 45th anniversary of its diplomatic ties last July 12.
To celebrate the occassion, Lorenzana and General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam's Minister of National Defense, exchanged congratulatory letters.
The more than four decades of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam have been fortified by the signing of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership in November 2015.
Signed by the late former Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan, Lorenzana said that the document serves as a framework for Manila and Hanoi "to further develop confidence-building, boost friendly relations, and promote cooperation both at the bilateral and multilateral levels."
"In line with the Department’s policy thrust to prioritize defense engagements with the Philippines’ strategic partners, defense cooperation between the Philippines and Viet Nam have been developing throughout the years, particularly after the conclusion of the 2010 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Defense Cooperation," the Defense Chief noted.
The DND and the Ministry of Defense of Viet Nam also conducted the inaugural Vice Ministers’ Defense Strategic Dialogue (VMDSD) in April 2015 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Further, a Defense Cooperation Working Group (DCWG) was established to monitor and evaluate existing defense cooperation activities, as well as explore other areas of defense cooperation between the two countries.
Lorenzana said this resulted to a sustained interaction among the personnel of the Philippine Navy and Vietnam People’s Navy through cultural and sports activities.
"The conclusion of the said frameworks and establishment of cooperative mechanisms are manifestations of the shared commitment between the Philippine and Vietnamese defense sectors to enhance cooperation at all levels from policy consultations between the defense establishments to practical activities between the armed forces," he stressed.