Philippines, Vietnam to strengthen cooperation on maritime security

The Philippines and Vietnam on Tuesday renewed commitments to strengthen cooperation, especially on maritime security during a courtesy call by visiting Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. Thanh, who is in the country for an official visit from Aug. 25- 27, was accompanied by Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Nguyen Vu Tu and Chief of International Relation Department Major General Vu Chien Thang during the call to Aquino. Aquino was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano in welcoming Thanh. "The visit of General Thanh to the Philippines clearly reflects the commitment of both countries to enhance cooperation in jointly developing their defense capabilities and in contributing to regional peace and stability," the Philippine Department of National Defense said in a statement. Thanh earlier held talks with Gazmin regarding issues of mutual concern like a future cooperation aligned with a memorandum of understanding on national defense agreed between the two countries that was signed in 2010, and a humanitarian assistance and relief cooperation.