VIETNAM INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION. Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan (right) is joined by Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Papal Nuncio Gabriele Giordano Caccia during the Vietnam Independence Day reception at the Hilton Manila Hotel in Pasay City on Monday (September 2, 2019). Hanoi is Manila's 12th largest trading partner, the 13th largest export market, and 10th largest import supplier in 2018. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)
MANILA -- A Vietnamese envoy on Monday cited the Philippines’ contribution and support to Vietnam's development during the Southeast Asian nation's Independence Day celebration in Pasay City.
Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan said over the last seven decades, Hanoi has achieved economic progress made possible through cooperation with partners, including the Philippines, and organizations which Manila is part of.
"Those achievements could not have been possible without valuable support and cooperation from countries and organizations of which you are representatives," he said in his speech.
"Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank you once again for the friendship and assistance that your countries and organizations have rendered to Vietnam in our development process," he added.
Hanoi is Manila's 12th largest trading partner, the 13th largest export market, and 10th largest import supplier in 2018.
Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) show that Philippine exports amounted to USD943.78 million, while its imports amounted to USD3.04 billion, with total trade amounting to USD3.98 billion.
At the reception, Ly also mentioned the 43 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines, branding the neighboring Southeast Asian nation as Hanoi's friend and strategic partner.
"I believe that our solid foundation of friendship, mutual respect and shared goals will serve as the engine driving our strategic partnership to move forward," he said as he toasted for "further consolidation of friendship and cooperation" between the two nations.
DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, who was present at the event, spoke of the two countries' "natural friendship".
"Today, we are proud to have Vietnam as a strategic partner, a distinction we have conferred on only two partners and the only one we have within our ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) family,” he said. (PNA)
