Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh (R) and his Singaporean counterpart Heng Swee Keat at the talks on September 23 (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh met with Singaporean leaders on September 23, highlighting the importance of the countries’ strategic partnership to each side’s interests, as well as to the solidarity and development of the ASEAN Community.
The Deputy PM also 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.
These were part of his official visit to Singapore from September 22 to 24.
At the events, the Singaporean leaders highly valued Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and rising stature in the world.
Deputy PM Binh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the trustworthy, effective and substantive cooperation with Singapore on the basis of mutual respect and benefits. Both sides shared the view that trade and investment partnerships remain a highlight in bilateral relations.
Binh stressed that amidst the growing protectionism and trade frictions among big countries, Vietnam and Singapore should continue enhancing connectivity and better capitalising on their economies’ complementarity.
He also welcomed Singaporean firms’ engagement in the equitisation of Vietnam’s State-owned enterprises and their expansion of investment and cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, logistics, finance, banking, supporting industries, and startup and innovation promotion.
The Singaporean leaders said their country is ready to assist Vietnam in developing smart cities based on local advantages.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen connections in agriculture, transport, education – training, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.
The meeting between Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh and Singaporean President Halimah Yacob on September 23 (Photo: VNA) At the meetings, they valued bilateral collaboration in defence, security and law.
The hosts expressed their hope for increased 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 countries will also foster cooperation in corruption combat and mutual legal assistance while further reinforcing ties between their legislative, executive and judicial agencies both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Regarding international and regional issues, Deputy PM Binh and the Singaporean leaders emphasised that the two nations share many common values and interests relevant to peace, stability and development. Both sides wish to enhance their strategic trust and cooperation, particularly amidst the complicated situation in the region and the growing strategic competition among big countries.
The Singaporean side said they consider Vietnam an example of successful development. They also spoke highly of Vietnam’s support for multilateral trade systems, along with its positive viewpoints and significant contributions to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
They affirmed the willingness to join Vietnam and other relevant countries in accelerating the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
As for the recent developments in the East Sea, both sides underscored 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 international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and the acceleration of talks to soon finalise an effective and substantive code of conduct in the waters that is in line with international law.
Also on September 23, Deputy PM Binh had a working session with the Enterprise Singapore, visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the country./.
