THE Philippines and Vietnam on Tuesday signed a joint strategic partnership agreement at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting that will boost their cooperation in several areas, including defense and maritime security, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the accord, the Philippines’ third after the United States and Japan, was signed by President Benigno Aquino III and Vietnamese President Troung Tan Sang.
In a press briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center, Jose said the partnership will upgrade Vietnam’s relationship with the Philippines to a higher level, particularly in the field of security where both countries can intensify military exchanges, port visits, information-sharing and joint activities.
The Philippines and Vietnam are both claimants to certain areas in the South China Sea, as are Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and China.
Jose said the agreement will send a strong signal that smaller claimant countries can bond together to boost their collective strength in confronting China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
However, Foreign Affairs maintains that the agreement is not aimed at China but at boosting the Philippines’ relations with Vietnam.
China claims almost 90 percent of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line map and the cluster of islands, reefs and atolls further south that’s called the Spratlys.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the territorial dispute in the South China Sea will not be discussed during the Apec leaders’ meeting.
“Apec is about economic methods. It is not the proper forum to discuss the issue,” Del Rosario said.