Singapore (VNA) – Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held talks with Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng on December 2 as part of his official visit to the city-state.
The host affirmed that after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations and more than 10 years since they set up their Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Singapore have seen their ties unceasingly develop across all domains and via the Party, State, Government, parliament, and people-to-people exchange channels. The two countries have shared strategic visions, strong trade and investment ties, as well as close relations between their people.
Man, for his part, congratulated Singapore on the achievements it has obtained over the recent past, expressing his confidence that the country will continue securing more significant accomplishments in its national development process and having an increasingly prominent position in the regional and international arenas.
He underscored that that Vietnam consistently views Singapore as a leading important partner in the region, given their shared visions and strategic interests.
In a spirit of sincerity and openness, the two leaders engaged in profound discussions about major orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and elevate the relations in the time to come. They agreed that political and diplomatic collaboration has continued to play a key role in orienting the Vietnam – Singapore relationship through enhanced delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels.
Man expressed his gratitude and asked for Singapore’s further support for Vietnam’s strategic personnel development.
Affirming economic and trade cooperation as a crucial pillar of the bilateral relations, the two leaders were unanimous to create favourable legal frameworks and accelerate the oversight of the implementation of signed agreements and pacts, particularly those in green economy, digital economy, clean energy, cybersecurity and innovation.
Besides, they reached consensus on bolstering cooperation in such traditional domains as infrastructure development, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. They also explored stronger security and defence cooperation, identifying opportunities for enhanced dialogue mechanisms, exchanges between their navy, army and air forces, cybersecurity collaboration, and maritime environmental protection through the use of new technologies.
For a more substantive cooperation between the two parliaments, they laid stress on the need to continue effective implementation of the bilateral cooperation agreements, helping develop the Vietnam – Singapore Strategic Partnership to a new height soon. They said the focus should be placed on information and experience sharing regarding the completion of the institutions, policies and legal system, ensuring macroeconomic stability and enhancing the efficiency of international integration.
Man took this occasion to ask the Singaporean parliament to issue policies to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises and people to do business, work and study in the country, contributing to developing the bilateral relations as well as socio-economic development in the host nation.
Touching on international and regional issues of mutual concerns, they concurred to strengthen cooperation and support for each other at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia – Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the UN, contributing to improving their positions and prestige in the region and the world.
They shared a similar viewpoint on building and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development in the Asia – Pacific region. The two leaders agreed to maintain and ensure security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and peacefully settle disputes based on international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
Man invited Seah and his spouse to visit Vietnam in the near future, and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.
On December 2 morning, Man, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese NA laid a wreath in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statue at the Asian Civilisations Museum./.
