PH, Vietnam renew 2010 defense cooperation deal

The Philippines and Vietnam on Monday signed the renewal of a 16-year-old memorandum of agreement on defense cooperation, which would strengthen the two countries’ joint capabilities in maritime security.

This was announced during the press conference of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President Tô Lâm at Malacañan Palace amid the latter’s two-day state visit.

The two leaders witnessed the presentation of several signed agreements at the President's Hall, following a bilateral meeting.

Marcos said his discussions with Tô Lâm reflected their shared vision for “long-term prosperity, collective resilience, and an unyielding commitment to regional stability, which will undoubtedly propel our bilateral relations to even greater heights.”

“On political and security cooperation, we have just witnessed the signing of a pivotal agreement—the renewal of the 2010 Philippines–Vietnam Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Cooperation,” the Philippine President said.

“This strategically important framework will significantly bolster our joint capabilities in maritime security, military education, and disaster risk reduction and management,” he added.

As fellow claimant states in the South China Sea, Marcos said the Philippines and Vietnam reaffirmed that maintaining peace, stability, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the maritime area remains non-negotiable.

“We stand resolute in our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, grounded firmly in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” he added. —AOL, GMA News