Legarda emphasizes the significance of PH-Vietnam ties in bilateral talks

The Senate on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, received Vietnam National Assembly President Vuong Dinh Hue, Members of the Parliament and other high-ranking officials, together with Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung. A resolution was adopted commending the National Assembly of Vietnam for strengthening Philippines-Vietnam inter-parliamentary relations and fostering economic cooperation.

In the bilateral meeting that took place thereafter with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri leading the Senate contingent, matters relating to agriculture and food security, and areas of cooperation including defense, maritime security, pandemic recovery, economy and trade were discussed as common issues shared by both countries.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda raised that Vietnam is a strategic partner of the Philippines in ASEAN, and took account of the critical role of parliamentarians in building effective bilateral relations through legislation and foreign policy direction.

“We realize that as we face global security issues such as the increasing challenges brought about by climate change, ongoing conflicts around the world, as well as global economic challenges, it is necessary to establish cooperation and mutual understanding among nations,” she said.

Central to PH-Vietnam ties is the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, as both countries have aggressive assertion of claims and thus benefit from a strategic partnership.

As for the economy, the first three quarters of 2022 showed that total bilateral trade has already reached US $4.83 billion. Vietnam is the country’s 11th largest trading partner and 5th within ASEAN, after Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

“We would like to offer the wonderful produce of our country, from handicrafts to microchips and there is so much of that. Perhaps there should be a trade mission between the Philippines and Vietnam to showcase local products and improve trade between our countries,” Legarda added.

The Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore were joined by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Minority Leader Aquilino ‘’Koko’’ Pimentel III, and Senators. Imee Marcos, Ronald “Bato” del Rosa, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go, Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Francis Tolentino.

Legarda was the founding President of the Philippines-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Senate during the 15th Congress.