Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have agreed to foster strategic trust, promote cooperation in integration and further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two Government leaders held talks on March 23^rd immediately after a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi for the Singaporean Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Photo: VNA)

During the talks, the two sides concurred to develop trustful political ties through the regular exchange of high-level delegations and people-to-people contacts, which they described as an important foundation for partnership in other fields.

PM Lee pledged that Singapore will continue assisting Vietnam in personnel training, including Party officials, via technical collaboration under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

The two sides noted that the strong growth of bilateral economic, trade and investment is a firm pillar for the strategic partnership of the two countries, highlighting the need to create a favourable business environment and promote connectivity among businesses.

PM Lee promised to assist Vietnamese firms in their bid to join the global market and supply chains, while considering the setting up of high technology industrial parks. Singapore will also work as a bridge to connect Vietnam with other countries in Southeast Asia, he said.

He shared his Vietnamese counterpart’s view on the potential of cooperation between the two sides in finance and transport, affirming that his country will continue to help Vietnam improve capacity in financial service by encouraging Singaporean firms to engage stronger in the field in Vietnam.

Both sides agreed that along with optimising the framework agreement on connectivity between the two economies, the two countries should seek new and creative directions for cooperation to keep pace with the ongoing technology revolution.

Singapore will help Vietnam develop smart cities, facilitate startup firms, especially in science-technology, capital access and management capacity, and encourage linkages with some major cities of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The two PMs shared common perspectives on the value of peace, stability, security, safety and prosperous development in the region, promising to further bolster the sound security-defence between the two countries via delegation exchanges, consultation mechanisms and bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities.

They expressed concern about rising terrorism and piracy problems in the region, concurring to increase the sharing of information and experience in anti-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security and combating trans-national crimes.

The Singaporean PM declared that his country is willing to help Vietnam in improving capacity for law enforcement forces as well as crime prevention and control.

The two PMs hold a private talk. (Photo: VNA)

The two leaders discussed measures to further bilateral partnership in other fields such as environment, tourism, science-technology, information-communications, and justice.

They reach high consensus on the need to step up negotiations for a labour cooperation deal to create a legal framework in the field.

PM Lee stated that Singapore will provide more scholarships for Vietnamese young people in the framework of bilateral and ASEAN cooperation, noting that mutual understanding between the two peoples is a firm foundation for close and strong ties.

The two sides also shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They committed to accelerate trade liberalization and participate in regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

They said the two sides will continue working closely together and with other countries in seeking solutions for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

PM Lee pledged to support Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017.

The two government leaders agreed to maintain bilateral consultations and cooperation with other ASEAN countries to build an ASEAN of solidarity and unity, dynamism and innovation, promoting the association’s central role in coping with strategic regional issues, especially East Sea matters.

Both Vietnam and Singapore highlighted the significance of peace, stability and maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Sea, as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, with respect for diplomatic and legal processes, without using or threatening to use force.

They also affirmed the importance of the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea as well as the early building of a quality Code of Conduct framework and the signing of the deal soon.

PM Phuc appreciated the role of Singapore as coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, stating that Vietnam will continue to affiliate with Singapore in boosting the ties.

Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of several cooperation documents, including the hand-over of approval letter of State Bank of Vietnam to Singapore’s United Overseas Bank on the setting up of a branch in Vietnam, and the signing of MoUs between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Sembcorp Group, between Da Nang and Sembcorp joint venture in developing a software park in Da Nang, and another on the building of a Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park in Quang Tri, among others.

PM Lee paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. (Photo: VOV)

Earlier the same day, PM Lee paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs in Hanoi.

He is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and meet President Tran Dai Quang and NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

PM Lee and his spouse will also attend a banquet hosted by PM Phuc and his wife in the evening of March 23^rd./.

Compiled by VNF