Vietnamese, Philippine ruling parties foster cooperation

Politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong had a meeting in Hanoi on August 27 with a visiting delegation of the Philippine Democratic Party-Power of the Nation (PDP-Laban), led by its Vice President Alfonso Gaba Cusi.

Politburo member Tran Quoc Vuong and PDP-Laban Vice President Alfonso Gaba Cusi (Image: VNA)
Politburo member Tran Quoc Vuong and PDP-Laban Vice President Alfonso Gaba Cusi (Image: VNA)

At the meeting, Vuong lauded the PDP-Laban delegation’s visit, describing it as an important milestone in cooperative relations between the ruling parties of Vietnam and the Philippines.

He spoke highly of the outcomes of talks and meetings between the delegation and relevant agencies of Vietnam, suggesting that in the future, the CPV and PDP-Laban will effectively realise signed agreements, thus helping to strengthen political trust and create stronger motivation for the development of the Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership.

Vuong and Cusi stressed that Vietnam and the Philippines, two neighbouring ASEAN countries that share many similarities, have great potential for stronger cooperation.

Both Vietnam and the Philippines are peace- and justice-loving nations and have persisted with peaceful measures in the settlement of disputes in the East Sea, which is called the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines, on the basis of international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, they said.

Earlier, member of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan held talks with Alfonso Gaba Cusi.

Quan briefed the delegation on Vietnam’s socio-economic development recently as well as its external policies and international integration, while sharing the country’s experiences in Party building and personnel training.

He hailed the first visit by a PDP-Laban delegation, considering it a historical trip that will promote the practical cooperation between the two parties and contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines.

Cusi, who is also Secretary of Energy of the Philippines, hailed Vietnam’s socio-economic and foreign affairs achievements in recent years.

He said that leaders of the Philippine Government and DPD-Laban always treasure the position of the CPV, and consider Vietnam as a good friend and friendly neighbour. The Philippines is also keen on developing ties with Vietnam across all fields, Cusi said.

As the ruling party of the Philippines, the PDP-Laban hopes to enhance collaboration and exchange experiences with the CPV, he said.

On the occasion, Quan and Cusi signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the CPV and PDP-Laban.

Later the same day, the Philippine delegation also had meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and General Director of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group Nguyen Vu Truong Son.