Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Truong HoaBinh affirmed the Vietnamese Government’s support for stronger cooperationbetween Vietnamese and Singaporean courts, while meeting with Chief Justice ofthe Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon in Hanoi on September 16.
Deputy PM Binh highlighted that the twocountries have recorded substantive developments in their strategic partnershipover the past years.
He also expressed his delight at the growingcooperation between the two supreme courts, stressing the importance of furthercollaboration and experience sharing between courts of the two countries, asthe judicial and legal systems of Vietnam are making intensive and extensivereforms.
He spoke highly of the Singaporean SupremeCourt’s experiences, considering them valuable to Vietnam’s legal and judicialreforms.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the Deputy PM saidVietnam is extremely concerned about China’s recent actions in the sea. Thesehave violated not only Vietnam’s waters but also the Declaration on the Conductof Parties in the East Sea, and run counter to China and the ASEAN countries’commitment to maintaining a favourable environment for the negotiation on aCode of Conduct in the waters, Binh stressed.
According to him, the ASEAN members need toensure their central role by coordinating their stances, sustaining the bloc’ssolidarity, having common voices and resolutely objecting unilateral actionsthat infringe international law, seriously violate coastal nations’ rights andlegal and legitimate interests, or negatively affect the maintenance of peace,stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
For his part, Chief Justice Menon said theSingapore-Vietnam strategic partnership has been illustrated in mutualhigh-ranking visits and various cooperation aspects, including justice.
He noted that during his delegation’s visit, thetwo countries’ court sectors will sign a memorandum of understanding oninformation exchange so as to help share experience at a higher level.
As for the East Sea issue, the official said his countryalways trusts the relevant sides’ respect for law and settlement of disputes bynegotiations./.
VNA