(VOVworld)- On Thursday, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong received visiting Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte. In his address, the Party leader praised the outcomes of the Filipino President’s talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders saying they will contribute to deepening bilateral ties.

The Party leader urged the two sides to tap their cooperation potential in such areas as maritime, rice, fisheries, mining, and services and boost bilateral coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums. He said Vietnam supported the Philippines hosting the ASEAN in 2017. In regard to the East Sea issue, Trong reiterated Vietnam’s stance on settling disputes by peaceful means and respecting diplomatic and legal procedures, not to use or threaten to use force, and in line with international law. The Philippines President said the Philippines treasured its cooperation with Vietnam. In regard to recent developments in the East Sea, he called on involved parties in the region to practice restraint, and not to threaten to use or use force, fully respect diplomatic and legal procedures, and settle disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.