Hanoi, April 25, 2025 – The Europe Today: Party General Secretary Tô Lâm on Thursday reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the Philippines, expressing a desire to elevate bilateral ties to greater levels of depth and comprehensiveness. He made the remarks while receiving Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre, in Hanoi.
General Secretary Lâm highly appreciated Ambassador Montealegre’s active contributions in recent years to enhancing the Việt Nam–Philippines Strategic Partnership. He emphasised that 2025 would mark a significant milestone, celebrating a decade of strategic partnership, which has witnessed substantial and effective progress in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The Party leader called for stronger collaboration between the two nations, urging the ambassador to prioritise several key areas. These include enhancing political and diplomatic relations through the facilitation of high-level exchanges; boosting economic connectivity towards the shared goal of US$10 billion in bilateral trade; and expanding cooperation in security and defence, maritime affairs, culture, sports, tourism, education, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
General Secretary Lâm also acknowledged the constructive cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines at regional and international organisations and forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, and ASEM. He reiterated Vietnam’s support for the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 and expressed confidence that both nations, alongside other ASEAN members, will work together to reinforce regional unity, uphold ASEAN’s centrality, and promote a cohesive, resilient, and sustainable community.
Ambassador Montealegre, for his part, congratulated the Vietnamese people on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, as well as the upcoming 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. He lauded Việt Nam’s impressive socio-economic achievements and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.
He highlighted his embassy’s readiness to work closely with Vietnamese counterparts to organise meaningful activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2025 and to prepare for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. Ambassador Montealegre also pledged to intensify efforts to promote a more robust, practical, and effective strategic partnership across all sectors.
The meeting underscored the shared vision and commitment of both nations to fostering a dynamic and enduring partnership, contributing to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
