Marcos expected to discuss maritime issues with Vietnamese leaders, DFA exec says

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese leaders would be discussing maritime issues during the former's state visit to Vietnam next week, an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

Marcos, First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos, and other key Cabinet officials will be in Vietnam from January 29 to 30. 

At a Palace press briefing, DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau was asked about the maritime deal, which will be signed by the two countries.

''If it's on the MOU (memorandun of understanding) between the coast guard, it's a simple agreement on how both coast guards will cooperate with each other. Now on maritime issues, there's a general topic on maritime discussion when the President meets with the three Vietnamese leaders,'' Mendiola-Rau said.

She said the DFA does not want to preempt the discussion between the Philippine president and the foreign leaders. 

According to DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza, Marcos will be meeting with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue.

Daza also said Marcos is expected to meet with members of the business sector to develop trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Vietnam. 

She added that the President would also meet with the Filipino community where ''he will highlight our friendly relations with Vietnam, as well as the contribution of our community in promoting a positive image of the Philippines in the country.''

According to Daza, there are about 7,000 Filipinos working and residing in Vietnam, and most of them are professionals.

Meanwhile, Mendiola-Rau said the state visit is in line with the President’s commitment to ensure food security in the country, noting that Vietnam has been a long-time partner and that it is committed to supporting the Philippines’ rice requirement among others. 

''So we expected the visit of the President would involve an in-depth discussion on our agricultural cooperation. The state visit is also essential as the Philippines continues to stress the importance of ASEAN centrality by forging closer and stronger relations with fellow ASEAN member states,'' Mendiola-Rau said.

''The President is also expected to tackle important regional and international issues with Vietnam in order to share views and perspective particularly on matters involving the ASEAN region,'' she added.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture said there is already a working draft for the rice trade agreement with Vietnam, which will help ensure the rice supply in the Philippines.—AOL, GMA Integrated News