(VOVworld)- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III have discussed concrete measures to further bilateral cooperation in the interest of each country as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. During talks in Manila on Wednesday, the two leaders reached a common important perception on orientations to develop bilateral ties and regional cooperation in the time to come.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (L) and Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Regarding political-diplomatic relations, the two leaders agreed to increase the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels and enhance cooperation via Party and parliament channels and people-to-people exchange. Later in the day, PM Dung and President Aquino held a joint press conference to announce the outcomes of their talks. Prime Minister Dung said: “On the basis of our fine relationship, we agreed to boost and deepen the Vietnam-Filipino relationship and bring our comprehensive ties to a new height. We agreed to set up a joint working committee which is led by the two foreign ministries and is responsible for building a roadmap towards a strategic partnership for mutual benefits and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. The roadmap is soon to be submitted to the two countries’ high-ranking leaders for approval”.

The two leaders told reporters that during talks, they discussed in depth regional and international issues. They agreed to closely work with each other and with other ASEAN states to successfully form a strong and united ASEAN Community by 2015 while maintaining mutual coordination and support at regional and global forums. With regard to the East Sea issue, Prime Minister Dung said: “We shared deep concern over the especially dangerous situation in the East Sea due to China’s violation of international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and as well as waters of coastal countries. Among those was the illegal installation of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig escorted by a large number of ships within Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, seriously threatening peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea. The two sides resolutely opposed those actions and called on countries and the international community to continue raising strong voices to request China to immediately end such violations, strictly abide by international law, the 1982 UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)”.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino urged the two countries to strengthen cooperation in national defense, security to enhance mutual trust and understanding and strengthen the capacity of their armies. Reaffirming maritime and oceanic cooperation as a pillar in bilateral ties, both leaders agreed to continue the regular viewpoint exchange and coordination at bilateral mechanisms like the Joint Committee on Sea and Ocean Cooperation and the Group of Legal Experts on Marine Issues.