Balakrishnan affirmed thatthe Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership has been developing in asubstantive and effective manner with high political trust and huge cooperationpotential, especially when both are members of the Comprehensive andProgressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The two countries share manycommon benefits in combating COVID-19 and strengthening cooperation towardspost-pandemic recovery, he emphasised.
The Singaporean official alsoinformed his host about the outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamesecounterpart Bui Thanh Son on June 21, including the proposals to establish workinggroups on COVID-19 response and cooperation in the digital economy as well as facilitate travel between the two countries.
Welcoming Minister Balakrishnan,Deputy PM Minh highly valued the Singaporean Government’s efforts to respond tothe COVID-19 pandemic and conduct mass vaccination, expressing his hope thatSingapore will share its experience and cooperate with Vietnam in applying hightechnology in rapid testing and contact tracing and access to safe and effectivevaccines.
He applauded the twocountries working to soon establish and convene meetings between their workinggroups on COVID-19 response towards mutual recognition of each other’s vaccinationcertificates.
The Deputy PM also welcomed thecooperation in the digital economy to create momentum for economic recovery anddevelopment in the new context.
The two sides should devisemeasures for effectively carrying out the cooperation aspects within theframework of the Vietnam - Singapore economic connectivity agreement, includingorganising the 15th connectivity ministerial meeting early,promoting the effective and balanced development of trade, and developing the existingVietnam - Singapore industrial parks (VSIPs) towards smart, high-tech,innovative, and environmentally friendly ones, according to him.
Minh also suggested Singaporecontinue the capacity building cooperation programmes in the Mekong sub-region,coordinate viewpoints on regional and international issues of shared concern,including the East Sea issue, and uphold the solidarity and centrality ofASEAN.
Balakrishnan pledgedcoordination with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to step upall-level mutual visits and effectively implement directions issued by thecountries’ leaders, thereby helping to develop the strategic partnership extensivelyand substantively on the basis of mutual political trust and common benefits./.
VNA