(Eagle News)– Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Charles Jose announced on Monday (September 26) that President Rodrigo Duterte is set to fly to Vietnam on Wednesday for a two-day visit.
Jose said Duterte will be in Hanoi on September 28 to 29 as part of his introductory visits to neighbor countries.
“While in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, the President is scheduled to meet with the state President Trần Đại Quang and pay a courtesy call on other top leaders of the Vietnamese government,” Jose said.
“Preparations have also been made for a meeting with the Filipino community in Vietnam who are expected to travel to Hanoi from various parts of the country. There are an estimated 3,800 Filipinos in Vietnam,” he added.
Duterte and the Vietnamese leaders were expected to discuss maritime cooperation, enhancement of law enforcement and defense cooperation, increasing two-way trade and investments, strengthening joint cultural activities, as well as heightened exchanges in agriculture and fisheries.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc invited Duterte to visit Vietnam during their bilateral meeting at ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos.
Jose said that Duterte is ready to exchange views about the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“If ever this will be discussed, this will be in the context of, of course, emphasizing the need or the importance of maintaining, peace, stability, security in the region,” he said.
“And it will be in the context of reaffirming our firm commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and our adherence to the rule of law, and the same time to reiterate our commitment also to continue working with ASEAN for the full and effective implementation of the 2005 DOC and for the early conclusion of the legally-binding Code of Conduct,” he added.
Vietnam also claims over some parts of the West Philippine Sea.
