July 1, 2010

 
Vietnam, Philippines sign fishery agreement

Vietnam's deputy Agriculture and Rural Development minister Vu Van Tam and the Philippines deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary, Rafael E. Seguis, signed an agreement for specific fisheries-industry cooperation in Hanoi.

The agreement includes providing support for fishermen at sea and combined search and rescue operations. The signing of the agreement manifested the desire and determination of the two countries to strengthen cooperation to the benefit of their fishermen.

Fisheries development in the two countries has similar features and the Philippines has expertise in fisheries management. It has also conducted successful research into the growing and processing of algae. But cooperation between the two countries is limited to exchanges of information and management.

Vietnam and the Philippines share long-term and traditional neighbourliness. This includes economic, political and social cooperation, especially within the Asean. Cooperation in agriculture between the two countries has achieved some results and the Philippines is one of Vietnam's most stable markets for rice.

The Philippines deputy foreign secretary said that fisheries-industry cooperation between the two countries was essential, particularly the exchange of information and the prevention of illegal fishing.

The two countries should develop their aquaculture based on each country's strong points.