PHL, Vietnam reaffirm deal to resolve Spratly claims peacefully

The Philippines and Vietnam agreed to start resolving the overlapping claims on the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, following a meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last April 5. Del Rosario and Dung reached the agreement during Del Rosario’s visit to Vietnam last Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement issued Thursday. “Both sides reaffirmed their commitments to resolve overlapping claims in the South China Sea… in a peaceful manner without resorting to the use of force," the DFA said. The department said the two countries expressed hope for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, a basic fundamental pillar of cooperation signed between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China. The Spratly Islands are a group reefs and islands in the South China Sea between the Philippines, China, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Philippines and Vietnam also agreed to implement cooperation projects that will boost mutual confidence among claimant states, the DFA said. Both sides likewise agreed to enhance cooperation on education, the DFA said. “Among the cooperation areas highlighted is education, which the two countries expect to implement after the Memorandum of Agreement on Academic Cooperation was signed in October 2010 in Hanoi, during the state visit there of President Benigno Aquino III." During the visit, Del Rosario and Dung agreed to hold the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) on the third quarter of the year to discuss the Philippines-Vietnam Action Plan 2011-2014. Vietnam will host the JCBC this year. The DFA said the action plan identifies priority areas of cooperation to propel the relations forward. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem cited the high quality of education and training — particularly in the English language, economics and agriculture, and the relatively affordable cost of education in the Philippines — as advantages for Vietnamese students to study in the Philippines. “Education cooperation also provides a way to establish people-to-people linkages, which further boosts awareness and appreciation of each nation’s culture and thus forging even closer relations between the two nations," the DFA said. Maritime cooperation There are also plans to reinvigorate maritime cooperation, another strong pillar of Philippine-Vietnam bilateral relations, the department said. Defense and security relations are vibrant with high-level visits and exchanges, it added. “With the goal of a two-way trade of US$2 billion already achieved, the two sides look towards a more active trade and investment promotion," the DFA said. Agreements signed in October 2011, which are now in the implementation phase, are the MOA on Defense Cooperation, MOA on Cooperation in Search and Rescue at Sea, and the MOA on Cooperation in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response. Del Rosario’s visit coincided with the Philippines and Vietnam commemorating the 35th year anniversary of their bilateral relations. Vietnam plans to hold a “Vietnam Day" in Manila, while the Philippines intends to launch cultural activities in Vietnam in celebration of the anniversary. — JE, GMA News