(Eagle News) — The Philippines and Thailand renewed their commitment to respecting the rights of countries and the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, saying doing so was “in the interest of all countries within and outside the region.”
The renewal of their commitment was stated in a joint statement read in English by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is on a three-day official visit in Thailand.
Prior to Thailand, Duterte was also in an official visit to Myanmar.
“In this regard, we emphasize the full and effective implementation of the declaration of the conduct of parties in the South China Sea, and express determination to complete the framework of the Code of Conduct in 2017,” their joint statement said.
Both countries also recognized the importance of cooperation in agriculture, in the form of “greater cooperation and exchange of best practices and irrigation, artificial rain, livestock and fisheries, and application of technology for soil and water conservation.”
They also both recognized the importance of “tourism or national developments as well as strengthening people-to-people relations.”
“Developing human resources is a vital concern for both (countries),” the joint statement said.
To sustain growth and development, Thailand and the Philippines also “stress(ed) the need to address traditional and emerging threats to (their) collective security and stability.”
These threats include transnational crimes such as terrorism and violent extremism, piracy at the sea, as well as the trafficking of persons and illicit drugs.
“We vow to our utmost to strengthen relations in bilateral regional and international levels to effectively address the scourges and menace to our societies,” the statement said.
“We stress the importance of our defense cooperation to achieve these goals, and look forward to the inaugural joint committee on military cooperation this year,” it added.
