The Prime Minister congratulated the Ambassador on successfully completing his mission amid numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other complex developments, and commended his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations in recent years.

He noted that during the Ambassador’s tenure, the two sides effectively implemented the Action Program for the Strategic Partnership for the 2019 - 2024 period, maintained high-level exchanges and contacts, and welcomed a State visit to Vietnam by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during which five cooperation documents were signed, injecting fresh momentum into bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister conveyed his deep sympathy to the Philippine people for heavy losses caused by storms and natural disasters, affirming that Vietnam stands ready to provide support within its capacity. He announced Vietnam’s decision to provide 2.000 tonnes of rice to help the Philippines overcome current difficulties.

To further advance the Strategic Partnership, the Prime Minister called for enhanced high-level and multi-channel exchanges, fuller use of cooperation mechanisms, coordination in formulating a new action program, and meaningful activities to mark the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

He also urged stronger trade and investment promotion; deeper cooperation on seas and oceans; joint efforts in climate change response, disaster relief, and search and rescue; and closer coordination on preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). Cooperation should also be expanded in potential areas such as agriculture, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, the development of shared ASEAN databases, and high-quality human resource development.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Vietnam is committed to remaining a reliable partner and stable rice supplier for the Philippines, proposing discussions toward an agreement on stable, long-term rice import-export cooperation based on the existing Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade.

He stressed Vietnam’s support for the Philippines’ successful chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026, and called on Manila to continue backing ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea, promote effective and substantive negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC), and uphold peace, stability, and maritime and aviation security and safety. He also highlighted coordination at forums such as United Nations and APEC.

Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre thanked the Prime Minister for the meeting and for Vietnam’s solidarity with the Philippine people affected by natural disasters, while expressing sympathy for losses suffered in Vietnam in recent times. He praised the Vietnamese Government’s decisive and effective leadership, and expressed appreciation for the strong support extended to the Philippine Embassy and to him personally.

Agreeing with the Prime Minister’s proposals, the Ambassador reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to upholding ASEAN unity and centrality, and voiced his hope for Vietnam’s continued support during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.