Davao International Airport, Davao City
September 30, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived at the Davao International Airport at 2:19 am (September 30, 2016) after his two-day Official Visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

According to the President, his visit aimed to solidify the valuable ties between the two nations and its people. He talked on his meeting with President Tran Dai Quang and their commitment to strengthen bilateral exchanges for a better strategic partnership.

“We agreed to increase the exchanges between our officials and peoples and establish a six-year action plan starting 2017 for the implementation of activities in areas of common interest,” he said.

He added that the two countries agreed in attaining more balanced trade and investment, and in fortifying existing maritime cooperation mechanisms after determining the new avenues for defense cooperation.

“We will adopt measures to ensure the safety and security of fishermen from both countries. We will explore ways to intensify law enforcement cooperation against transnational crime, including the illegal drugs trade,” President Duterte stated.

Likewise, he spelled out that as the two parties acknowledge that sustained economic growth is stemmed on a stable and secure environment, his visit intensified their reaffirmation of commitment to maintain peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and the unhampered commerce in the region.

“We called for the peaceful resolution of disputes including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, self-restraint in the conduct of activities, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” he stressed.

According to the Chief Executive, he informed the Filipino community in Vietnam about the developments in the country, and assured them that he will be faithful to the mandate as President of the Philippines. Moreover, he was able to meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Tong, and business leaders from the Philippines and Vietnam.

“My official visit to Vietnam demonstrated our adherence to an independent foreign policy which seeks cooperation and collaboration with friendly nations on the basis of sovereign equality, non-interference and mutual respect to protect our national interests,” he said.

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