Ritz-Carlton Milennia Hotel, Singapore
April 27, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam held a bilateral meeting prior to the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Singapore.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque said the bilateral meeting between the two leaders focused on rice supply wherein Vietnam reiterated its commitment to provide quality rice to the Philippines. The two leaders also discussed the strengthening of security cooperation between the two nations, emphasizing the issue on the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary Roque also said that President Duterte extended his gratitude to the Vietnam government for the warm and good treatment to at least 3,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) residing in the country.

President Duterte’s delegation to the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits were in attendance during the bilateral meeting, namely Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

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