Vietnam, Singapore look to stronger strategic partnership

Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh meets Singaporean President Halimah Yacob (R)

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh paid a courtesy call to President Halimah Yacob, had talks with his counterpart Heng Swee Keat, and met with Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean as part of his official visit to Singapore from September 22- 24.

During the meetings, the Singaporean leaders applauded Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and its rising stature in the world.

Vietnam places importance on developing the trustworthy, effective and substantive cooperation with Singapore on the basis of mutual respect and benefits. The two sides shared the view that trade and investment partnerships remain a highlight in bilateral ties.

Amidst the increasing protectionism and trade frictions among major countries, Vietnam and Singapore should continue enhancing connectivity and take full advantage of their economies’ complementary factors, Binh told his hosts.

Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh (L) and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean.

He also welcomed Singaporean businesses’ participation in the equitisation of Vietnam’s State-owned enterprises and their expansion of investment and cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, logistics, finance, banking, supporting industries, and startup and innovation promotion.

In reply, the Singaporean leaders assured their country’s willingness to help Vietnam develop smart cities based on local advantages while greatly valuing bilateral collaboration in defence, security and law.

Both sides consented to step up cooperation in agriculture, transport, education-training, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

They voiced their wish for strengthened exchange between Vietnamese and Singaporean military forces, and for stronger coordination in search and rescue activities, and fight against trans-national crimes, especially drug crime.

The two sides agreed to bolster cooperation in corruption combat and mutual legal assistance as well as bilateral and multilateral ties between their legislative, executive and judicial agencies. With regard to international and regional issues, Deputy PM Binh and the host leaders stated that the two countries share many common values and interests regarding peace, stability and development.

They want to foster their strategic trust and cooperation, particularly amidst the complicated situation in the region and the growing strategic competition among major countries.

The Singaporean leaders said they regard Vietnam as an example of successful development and applauded Vietnam’s support for multilateral trade systems, alongside its positive viewpoints and great contributions to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh (R) and his Singaporean counterpart Heng Swee Keat.

They affirmed the willingness to join Vietnam and other relevant countries in expediting the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Concerning the recent developments in the East Sea, the two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters.

They called for the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the acceleration of talks to soon finalise an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

The same day, Deputy PM Binh had a working session with the Enterprise Singapore, visited the Vietnamese Embassy, and met with Vietnamese community representatives in Singapore.