A pledge between the Philippines and Vietnam to deepen naval cooperation could serve as a “model for maritime collaboration” amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea, according to observers.
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Philippine Navy chief Vice-Admiral Jose Maria Ambrosio Ezpeleta and his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Thanh Nghiem met last week in Manila, where they reaffirmed their commitment to conducting joint activities, humanitarian coordination and regional maritime security.
“We are maritime neighbours with quite a short distance from each other. As we say in Vietnam, the more we meet, the better we understand each other,” Nghiem said, adding that both countries “share common interests, as well as difficulties, which we must address together for peace and stability”.
Ezpeleta said Philippine and Vietnamese naval forces “already have a very good relationship” and “we help each other in many ways, particularly now that we share the same issues and concerns”.
“Hopefully, we can find ways to ease the pressures in our waters while further strengthening this partnership,” said Ezpeleta, who also thanked Hanoi’s continued help with rescuing distressed Filipino fisherfolk at sea.
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Nghiem’s trip to Manila comes months after the Philippine army top brass visited Vietnam and held talks with the country’s military leaders.