Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính had talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr on Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

JAKARTA — Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr agreed to promote the connectivity and reciprocity of the two economies, at their meeting in Jakarta on Thursday.

Chính conveyed regards from Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, State President Võ Văn Thưởng, and National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ, to the Philippine leader.

The Philippine President expressed his pleasure to visit Việt Nam and meet Vietnamese leaders at an early date, aiming to strengthen the bilateral ties.

Both rejoiced at the strong development of the relationship in all spheres, and emphasised the importance of the Việt Nam-Philippines strategic partnership in regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

The two sides agreed to continue their coordination and mutual support in regional and international issues of shared concern.

They also consented to pay more attention to cooperation in such potential areas as agriculture, aquaculture, and oil and gas, and to consider expanding collaboration in new fields like digital economy, circular economy, green economy, and innovation.

The leaders affirmed their support for stronger cooperation in personnel training and labour to support the knowledge-based economy of the two countries, and concurred to soon exchange and sign an inter-government agreement on rice trade to help both countries ensure food security in the wake of complexities of the global supply chain over the past time.

They also compared notes on cooperation and coordination in maritime issues.

The Philippine leader committed further humanitarian treatment to detained fishermen in the spirit of friendship and strategic partnership, and support for Việt Nam's efforts to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres had a discussion on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

The same day, PM Chính exchanged ideas with Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the world situation, major trends in peace, cooperation and development, and recent developments in the region.

They pointed to various difficulties facing the world economy, the complex development of the strategic competition among big countries, regional hot spots, racial and religious problems, and populism, which are posing many challenges to maintaining peace, stability and development.

PM Chính affirmed that Việt Nam will work together with other countries to further promote multilateral cooperation and international solidarity, thereby contributing to peace, security and development in the region and the world.

The PM and a high-ranking delegation of Việt Nam are in Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. — VNS