Beijing, China
9 November 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III held a bilateral meeting with Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang together with members of his delegation at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

Secretary Albert Del Rosario said both leaders affirmed friendship with each other and have agreed to convene in a joint committee in December to start discussions on the roadmap towards a strategic partnership between the two countries, focused on improving trade investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Agreements to enhance cooperation in agriculture and strengthen maritime cooperation such as in search and rescue, marine environment protection, oil pills and preparedness were also discussed.

In closing, both the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to mutually support each other’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chairmanship, with Philippines as chair for 2015 and Vietnam on 2017.

Joining the Vietnam side were Chairman of the Presidential Office Dao Viet Trung, Minister of Trade and Industry Vu Huy Hoang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong and Assistant for Vietnam President Duong Thanh Bac.

Also present during the meeting were Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Abad and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

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