Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam has affirmed that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Singapore is an event of great significance, ushering a new period in friendship and cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam.

At a meeting with the Vietnamese leader at the Istana Presidential Palace on Sept. 13, the President recalled his impression on Vietnam’s fast development during his visit last April.

He said he believes that Vietnam will record greater achievements in national construction and development.

Trong congratulated Singapore on its achievements in all fields, greater prestige and higher position in the region and international arena.

The two leaders said they are pleased with the strong development of bilateral cooperation over recent years.

They highlighted the signing and effective implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore connectivity framework agreement and the expansion of the Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks- a symbol of bilateral economic ties.

Both leaders agreed that the establishment of the two countries’ strategic partnership in 2013 on the 40 th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties is an event of great significance, opening a new chapter in friendship and cooperation and laying a foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation and multilateral framework for the interest of both peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and all over the world.

They noted with pleasure that Vietnam and Singapore share similar viewpoints on many regional and international issues. The two countries have also coordinated closely at regional and international forums, especially within the frameworks of ASEAN, APEC and ASEM.

Both host and guest said they believe that ASEAN member countries will enhance solidarity and cooperation and overcome difficulties to the goal of building the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Regarding the East Sea, they agreed that all disputes must be settled through peaceful negotiations on the basis of the international law and the UN Charter, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea, pushing negotiations between ASEAN and China towards the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea at an early date.

Trong invited President Tony Tan Keng Yam to visit Vietnam again and the President accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The same day, Trong visited the National Orchid Garden where he attended a ceremony to name orchids.

Also on September 13, Trong visited the High-tech Fusionopolis Centre and the Economic Development Board (EDB).

At the centre, Trong spoke highly of the Singaporean Government’s investment in research activities, saying that science and technology is a potential field for Vietnam and Singapore to step up cooperation. He expressed his hope that the two sides will further promote cooperation in the field in the future, especially in education, training and scientific research.-VNA