Marcos, Vietnam PM agree on long-term rice trade, food security deal

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on Thursday agreed to establish a long-term rice trade mechanism and strengthen food security cooperation during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Related Meetings here.

The leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in addressing transnational crimes and enhancing collaboration in tourism.

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“On agriculture, both sides agreed to establish a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring stable supply and strengthening food security cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in addressing transnational crimes, including scam hubs and human trafficking, as well as enhancing collaboration in tourism,” the Presidential Communications Office said.

In line with the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relationship this year, the leaders expressed confidence that the milestone would lead to stronger cooperation in trade and economic engagement.

Marcos, during their meeting, also congratulated the prime minister on his assumption of office last April and welcomed him to his first Asean Summit.

Exactly a year ago, during the Asean Summit in Malaysia, Marcos and then Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh renewed their commitment to bolster diplomatic cooperation between their nations. /das