Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro during their meeting on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photos

MANILA — Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung held separate bilateral meetings with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings in the Philippines on Thursday.

During his meeting with Lazaro, the two ministers welcomed the positive progress in the Việt Nam–Philippines enhanced strategic partnership and the increasingly close coordination between the two foreign ministries, particularly in successfully organising the recent visit to the Philippines by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and State President Tô Lâm.

The two sides agreed to promptly formulate an action programme to implement the outcomes of the visit, strengthen political trust, and convene the next meeting of the ministerial-level joint commission for bilateral cooperation at an early date, with a view to further deepening bilateral ties.

The ministers shared the view that the regional and international landscape continues to evolve rapidly and complicatedly, while multilateralism and the fundamental principles governing international relations are facing growing challenges. Against this backdrop, they agreed that ASEAN remains a successful model of regional cooperation, maintaining unity, consensus and centrality, thereby making an important contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

Trung commended the Philippines' leading role as ASEAN Chair 2026, particularly its efforts to preserve ASEAN unity and consensus and promote the bloc's common voice in response to complex developments, including the adoption of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East.

Lazaro thanked Việt Nam for its consistent coordination and support, and highly valued the country's role and positive contributions within ASEAN. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening consultations and coordinating positions, especially in the preparation for the 49th ASEAN Summit and the remaining activities of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2026.

On the East Sea, the two ministers agreed to continue close coordination in negotiations for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide (left) at the meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Lê Hoài Trung.

At his meeting with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trung welcomed Norway's role and contributions to the successful conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in July this year.

He affirmed that Việt Nam stands ready to work closely with the EFTA partners to expedite the legal review and complete the necessary procedures with a view to signing the agreement within 2026.

He described the agreement as an important milestone that would inject fresh momentum into Việt Nam–Norway relations as the two countries prepare to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On the occasion, Trung invited Eide to pay an official visit to Việt Nam, and the Norwegian minister gladly accepted.

The Vietnamese minister stressed Việt Nam's desire to strengthen cooperation with Norway in areas where Norway has strength and Việt Nam has demand, particularly renewable energy, green transition, the sustainable marine economy, green technology, smart power grids, and human resource development.

For his part, Eide praised Việt Nam's socio-economic achievements, affirming that Norway regards Việt Nam as an important and trusted partner in the region. He expressed Norway's readiness to share experience and promote practical cooperation aligned with Việt Nam's development priorities.

The ministers agreed to further strengthen coordination within regional and international mechanisms. Trung highly appreciated Norway's constructive contributions to ASEAN and the region, expressing support for Norway's efforts to deepen its engagement with the bloc and continue making pragmatic contributions to regional peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Eide stated that Norway attaches great importance to its cooperation with ASEAN and looks forward to working closely with Việt Nam to make ASEAN–Norway relations increasingly substantive and effective. — VNA/VNS