MANILA, (Reuters) – Vietnam and the Philippines agreed today to advance defence and military relations and deepen collaboration on maritime security, in a significant step by two countries long at odds with Beijing over its actions in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang was in Manila for talks with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, his first visit as defence chief, and paid a courtesy call earlier in the day on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The ministers expressed their unwavering commitment to deepen defence and military cooperation through continued interaction and engagements at all levels,” the Philippine defence department said in a statement.
The two nations aimed to sign a defence cooperation deal before the end of the year, Teodoro said after he and Giang inked “letters of intent” to enhance engagements on disaster response and military medicine.
They also agreed to resolve disagreements peacefully and within the framework of international law.
“The two sides shared the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea,” Giang told a joint briefing.
Their meeting comes at a time of simmering tension in the South China Sea and international concern about the possibility of an escalation, with China and U.S. defence ally the Philippines sparring almost every week in a row that has raged for more than a year.
