Philippines urges countries to take 'next step' over disputed Spratlys

MANILA  (AFP) - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has urged Vietnam and other countries laying claim to the disputed Spratly Islands to take the "next step" in cooperation as she reported promising oil survey results there, officials said Friday.

Arroyo made the proposal during a state dinner she hosted for visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung late Thursday, palace officials said.

Claimants China, the Philippines and Vietnam launched a joint seismic survey two years ago to assess the potential for petroleum development on the seabed beneath the disputed South China Sea chain, also claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.

"The data-gathering and analysis are expected to finish next year, but already the initial results are promising," Arroyo said in the text of her speech, released by the palace on Friday.

"We should now explore the possible next steps. This will be the biggest bridge that will bind our 30-year bonds," she said without elaborating.
Arroyo meanwhile praised the leaders of Vietnam for opening up the communist country's economy.

"Your fearless risk-taking structural change towards strong global engagement did not fail you. Instead it rewarded you with your impressive economic growth," she said.

"You want Vietnam, and we want the Philippines, to actively engage in local, regional and global affairs because that is the future," Arroyo added.
Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation in January and is enjoying rapid growth, with economy expanding 7.87 percent in the first half of the year.