Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed the Philippines Foreign Minister on his first visit to Vietnam and urged the two governments to continue to create favourable conditions for trade and investment, especially in rice trade between the two countries. The two sides also agreed on strengthening co-operation in maritime security, natural disasters, food security, anit-terrorism and transnational crime. Almendras said that along with strengthening the role of ASEAN, the Philippines would continue to support Vietnam, especially in maritime issues.