PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN TAN DZUNG PAID OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

On August 9th, at the invitation of the Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, HE. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dzung, Prime Minister of Vietnam, his Spouse and Deputy Prime Minister, HE. Mr. Pham Gia Khiem led a governmental high-ranking delegation to Manila for an official visit to the Philippines.
Warm and solemn ceremonies were held both at the Manila International Airport and Malacanang Presidential Palace to welcome the delegation. On the first day of the visit, Vietnam Delegation headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung and Philippines Delegation headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had an official discussion on various areas of mutual interests. During the talk, President Arroyo emphasized the importance of the visit, calling it a very significant milestone in Vietnam - Philippines relations development. President Arroyo appreciated the Renovation Policy, especially Vietnamese foreign policy of promoting economic cooperation and accelerating regional and international integration. She also highly-valued great achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people in the  construction and development of the country.
In respond, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung expressed his sincere thanks to the Government and people of the Philippines, particularly the  President for their warm welcome and hospitality. He also showed his pleasure to pay the first visit to the Philippines as the Prime Minister and firmly believed that the visit would further enhance the relationship between the Governments and people of the two countries.
Prime Minster Nguyen Tan Dzung applauded the Government and People of the Philippines for their achievements in social and political stabilities and economic development under the leadership of President Arroyo. He also congratulated the Philippines for the excellent performance in the role of ASEAN Chairmanship.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction the sustainable development in Philippines – Vietnam friendly and multi-faceted relationship for more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both sides agreed on the need to further reinforce and promote bilateral cooperation in the new situation. In that spirit, the two leaders affirmed their determination to implement the Joint Declaration on “Framework for Comprehensive Cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines in the 25 first years of 21st century and beyond” and adopted the Plan of Action 2007-2010 aimed at carrying out the above-mentioned Declaration.
Concerning specific areas of cooperation, the two leaders shared the view that bilateral cooperation in many areas has stepped up on encouraging progress. Bilateral trade continuously increased in the recent years from 450 millions USD in 2003 to 1.2 billion USD in 2006. Up to 2006, there are 25 Philippines on-going projects in Vietnam with the total registered capital of 250 million USD (ranking 4 in ASEAN countries).
The two Leaders also emphasize specific areas of cooperation to strengthen economic ties,  traditional markets of rice and other agricultural and industrial products; encourage and facilitate investors in accessing the two countries’ markets.
President Arroyo and Prime Minister Dzung also consented to enhance cooperation in security especially in the fight against international terrorism and trans-national crimes…
Concerning regional and international issues, the two side appreciated the close, effective coordination and cooperation in the framework of ASEAN, ASEM, APEC, the United Nations and other international fora and shared their opinion on further promote bilateral coordination and cooperation in regional and global organizations for the peace, stability and economic development of each country, of the region and the world.
The two Leaders expressed their desire and determination in bringing current friendly and multi-faceted relations of Vietnam and the Philippines to a higher plane for the desire and common interests of both countries’ people, towards peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Southeast Asia and in the world.
Following the discussion, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung and President Arroyo witnessed the signing of Vietnam – Philippines Plan of Action  in the 2007-2010 period, Protocol on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the National Committee of Arts and Culture of the Philippines, Memorandum of Agreement on Trade Promotion between the Bureau of Trade Promotion of Vietnam and Trade and Export Promotion Authority of Philippines.
During the visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung laid a wreath at the Statue of National Hero Jose Rizal, visited and talked to students of the University of Philippines (UP), attended Vietnam-Philippines Business Forum, received the Leaders of Congress, received the President of Asian Institute of Management (AIM), met officials and staff of the Embassy of Vietnam in the Philippines and representatives of Vietnamese community in the Philippines.
During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem made a call to and had discussions with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines on various issues relating to the two countries, the region and the world.
Addressing at University of the Philippines, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung expressed his firm belief that Philippines youth as well as Vietnamese one will be the future and basis for the development and prosperity of the two countries.
At the Business Forum, Prime Minister Dzung affirmed that Vietnam would further and actively improve its market economy mechanism and carry through administrative reform to pave the  favourable way for domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, including Philippines ones.
On August 10th afternoon, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung and Spouse and Vietnamese Delegation arrived at Hanoi, successfully closing his official visit to the Philippines.