(VOVworld) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds its regular press briefing on Thursday. Spokesman Le Hai Binh commented on the Philippine press reports that Manila wants to upgrade its relations with Vietnam to strategic partnership: “In our foreign policy of independence, self-determination, peace, cooperation, development, multilateralization and diversification and international integration, Vietnam respects and positively develops relations with partner countries for the benefit of the Vietnamese people and interests of partner countries for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific, especially with neighboring countries and within the ASEAN. In our relations with the Philippines, we are consistent with this foreign policy and believe that the bilateral friendship cooperation will positively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific.”

Regarding the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe, the spokesman said relevant countries should have emergency measures and long term solutions to address the issue on the basis of humanitarian spirit, in line with international commitment and not affecting peace and stability.