Bilateral Meeting between Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Viet Nam Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang
August 30, 2024I. Overview
Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Viet Nam Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (hereinafter referred collectively as “Ministers”) met for a bilateral meeting on August 30, 2024 in Manila, Philippines.
The occasion marks the first ever visit to the Philippines of General Phan since his appointment as the Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam on April 8, 2021. It also serves as a follow-on to the meeting between the Ministers on the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) held last November 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where both sides underscored the importance of further strengthening bilateral defense partnership between the Philippines and Viet Nam through high-level exchange visits.
II. Regional Security Developments
The Ministers exchanged views on regional security developments in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both Ministers affirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order firmly anchored on international law and the promotion of sustainable peace, principled security, and regional stability. The Ministers noted that as strategic competition permeates the global governance architecture, the role of bridge-builders becomes increasingly important in fostering cooperation and encouraging peace built on a complex web of interactions, rather than geopolitical spheres.
Both Ministers shared views on the need to maintain peace, stability, ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea/West Philippine Sea/South China Sea. They also agreed to resolve all disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea/West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (DOC), building a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea/West Philippine Sea/South China Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
In this context, both Ministers affirmed the crucial role of upholding the unity and centrality of ASEAN as the region’s bridge-builder, serving as a uniquely inclusive platform that fosters strategic trust and mutual understanding. Both countries conveyed their support for each other’s initiatives under ASEAN frameworks, particularly within the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, and undertook to bolster cooperation under these mechanisms.
III. Bilateral Defense Relations
The Ministers expressed their unwavering commitment to deepen defense and military cooperation through continued interaction and engagements at all levels. The Ministers acknowledged the significant contribution of the Vice Ministers’ Defense Strategic Dialogue (VMDSD) and Defense Cooperation Working Group (DCWG), as primary bilateral defense dialogue mechanisms, in revitalizing defense partnership between the two countries.
Noting broad-ranging prospects for cooperation, both Ministers agreed to explore more in-depth collaboration on maritime security, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), military medicine, peacekeeping operations, and defense industry. To this end, the Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing substantive interactions among defence and military establishments, and mutual capacity building.
Recalling the signing of the Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership in 2015, the Ministers looked forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the elevation of bilateral relations next year.
IV. Signing of Defense Frameworks
After the substantive discussion during the bilateral meeting, the Ministers signed the Letters of Intent (LOIs) on the Enhancement of Cooperation in the Field of HADR at Sea and Military Medicine.
The LOI on HADR at Sea reflects the intention of the Philippines and Viet Nam to strengthen the work to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and other increasingly complex security challenges at sea, and emphasizes the major role of navies in this regard.
Meanwhile, the LOI on Military Medicine acknowledges the role of militaries in cross-border public health surveillance and prevention of disease outbreaks, and thereby manifests the interest of both countries to enhance relevant capabilities through joint research and innovations, as well as sharing of knowledge and best practices.