At the meeting with the Philippine President, State President Truong Tan Sang lauded the two nations’ relationship and multi-lateral cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to organize the first meeting of the Joint Working Committee, which will be co-chaired by the two FMs, to discuss the establishment of Viet Nam-Philippines Strategic Partnership.

They also discussed the orientations for accelerating cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economic, trade, finance, education, culture, tourism and marine issues and consented to launch measures to raise two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2016.

They referred to issues of international and regional concerns, agreeing to maintain the marine peace, stability, security, safety and freedom in the region and deal with disputes based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

They were unanimous in establishing an ASEAN community by 2015.

On the occasion, State President Truong Tan Sang invited President Benigno Aquino III to pay an official visit to Viet Nam.

Earlier, President Sang received leading US entrepreneurs representing the US Business Alliance at APEC on a working visit to Beijing for the APEC CEO Summit 2014.

The bilateral ties have seen positive developments especially since the two countries established the comprehensive partnership, confirmed the State President.

Many US groups have become trusted partners and pledged long-term investments in Viet Nam, demonstrating significant contributions to propelling bilateral relations forward, he added.

For their part, US businesses appreciated the efforts and positive results Viet Nam has achieved in macroeconomic stabilization and economic restructuring as well as comprehensive international integration.

They suggested a score of measures to fully utilize opportunities for enhancing regional connectivity through the APEC forum and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) which will add fresh impetus to boosting the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.