Chinh stressed the importance of Lee’s visit in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties (1973 - 2023) and the 10 years of their strategic partnership (2013-2023), saying it is expected to contribute to strengthening the relationship.
The trip also demonstrates the resolve by the two countries in cooperation to elevate the relationship to a new level and to make it more intensive, extensive, comprehensive, sustainable, and inclusive, for peace, stability, and development in the region, he said.
Congratulating Singapore on its economic recovery and development, the Vietnamese leader expressed his belief that it will soon achieve its Green Plan 2030, contributing to building a strong, united, and self-resilient ASEAN Community.
Vietnam is an important strategic partner of Singapore in the region, the PM affirmed.
Host and guest shared the view that the Vietnam-Singapore relationship is at its best ever, with various important cooperation agreements put in place. Notably, in the first eight months of this year, Singapore made up the largest share of foreign investments in Vietnam with total newly-registered capital exceeding 3.6 billion USD.
They consented to step up delegation exchanges at all levels and through the channels of Party, State, Government and legislature, and hold their annual meetings to compare notes on the bilateral ties and issues of shared concern.
The two countries will also effectively materialise high-level cooperation agreements and mechanisms, and coordinate in organising activities celebrating the above-said 50th and 10th anniversaries, including the “Spotlight Singapore in Vietnam” slated for October.
The leaders emphasised the need to fruitfully realise the partnership in digital economy–green economy established in February, and spoke highly of joint efforts in upgrading the framework agreement on connecting the two economies, contributing to deepening and expanding the economic cooperation to such new areas as clean energy, energy transition, and innovation.
Chinh suggested Singapore facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods into the market, as well as the development and the transformation of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) to smart, green low-carbon industrial parks, towards the industrial-urban ecosystem.
He also called on Singapore to expand investments in Vietnam’s key, priority spheres like electronics, smart manufacturing, IT, digital technology and new materials, and help the country boost industries in support of such sectors as garment-textile, wood processing, shipbuilding, industrial infrastructure development, chemicals, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas, among others.
The two sides concurred to enhance cooperation in national defence and security through the signing and implementation of relevant cooperation agreements, along with dialogue mechanisms, and coordination in multilateral mechanisms and activities.
Both rejoiced at cooperation in digital transformation and national data centre building.
In this regard, Chinh suggested Singapore help Vietnam build and operate a large database centre to improve efficiency in the fight against crimes, especially high-tech ones, and soon connect Vietnam's system with the electronic identification and authentication system in Singapore in order to make it easier for their citizens in traveling, living, and working.
The two PMs agreed to promote cooperation in other key areas, including finance, banking, and tourism; and highly valued documents on cooperation in education-training signed on this occasion.
Regarding multilateral and regional cooperation, the two sides highly valued each other's regular coordination and mutual support in the election and running for election to the UN's offices and organisations. They also consented to continue their coordination with other ASEAN member countries in trade and investment promotion, and maintaining the grouping’s stance on the East Sea issue.
Both emphasised the significance of navigation and aviation freedom and safety, and the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), striving to build an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
He expressed his pleasure with the substantive development of the bilateral relations over the past half century in all fields, saying that the two countries have seen increasing close and trusted political relations through strengthening cooperation and exchange of delegations at all levels and channels, including the Party, NA, Government, localities and businesses of the two countries.
Hue emphasised that Vietnam and Singapore need to expand partnership in new areas such digital connectivity, digital society, circular economy, innovation, clean energy, which are global issues and of Singapore's strengths. The two sides should also further foster economic, trade and investment cooperation in a more effective manner.
The two Governments should consider to expand the model of Vietnam - Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) in the green - clean - smart direction towards developing an industrial - urban ecosystem, NA Chairman Hue stressed.
For his part, Lee said Singapore is interested in developing renewable energy, and willing to support Vietnam as well as discuss potential cooperation projects in this field in order to enable Vietnam to export renewable energy to Singapore.
Carbon credit is an area where the two sides can cooperate, especially when the two countries set a goal of cutting emissions to net zero by 2050, he stated.
Emphasising that VSIP is a symbol of successful cooperation between the two countries, the Singaporean guest expressed his hope that more VSIPs will be developed in Vietnam in the future.
Both leaders underlined the importance to further enhance cooperation in key areas such as defence, security, labour, education - training, culture, and people-to-people exchange, saying that the two sides should consider signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on culture exchange as soon as possible.
The two countries should proceed to open more direct flights from Singapore to Vietnam's tourist destinations, and expand connection in cruise ship tourism as these are open and effective cooperation fields, the leaders said, noting that these contribute to boosting economic development of both Vietnam and Singapore.
Briefing the guest on Vietnam’s new e-visa policy, Hue said the Vietnamese NA always supports and creates favourable conditions for the successful signing and implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries.
He suggested the two sides soon complete negotiations and related procedures for the signing of important cooperation documents, including an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; an extradition agreement; an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons; and a memorandum of understanding on rescue.
Hue proposed PM Lee support the legislative bodies of the two countries to effectively implement their Cooperation Agreement signed in May 2022, serving as a legal basis to further promote substantive relations between the two legislatures; strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and share experience in parliamentary activities and issues of mutual concern.
Vietnam wishes to share and learn experience in building a legal framework for important issues such as carbon market, green finance mobilisation, and global minimum tax, NA Chairman Hue said.
During the meeting, the two leaders emphasised the importance of building a united and resilient ASEAN community, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, settling disputes by peaceful measures, and fully implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon concluding negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
The Singaporean PM took the occasion to invite NA Chairman Hue to pay an official visit to Singapore at an appropriate time.
* President Vo Van Thuong has hailed the significance of the ongoing Vietnam visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, saying that it creates a new driving force to lift bilateral ties to a greater height.
During a reception in Hanoi on August 28 for the Singaporean leader, President Thuong said his visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership.
He expressed his belief that Singapore will continue growing dynamically and achieve the "Green Plan 2030” soon, toward building a harmonious and increasingly prosperous society.
On the occasion, the host extended his regards to Singaporean President Halimah Yacob.
PM Lee, for his part, affirmed that Singapore always values and wishes to strengthen its strategic partnership with Vietnam. He also welcomed the upgrade of bilateral relationship to a new level in the near future.
Informing the host about the success of his talks with the Vietnamese counterpart and the signing of seven cooperation agreements on this occasion, he stressed that Singapore welcomes the upgrade of the connectivity framework agreement between the two economies, as well as the expansion of cooperation in energy and human resources development.
Vietnam is a highly promising partner of Singapore in the region, he said. He also agreed to enhance the sharing of experience in economic management, urban management and human resources development.
On the back of achievements in bilateral ties over the past five decades, especially in economy, national defence-security, education and training, the two leaders vowed to effectively deploy the partnership in digital economy - green economy, which was established in February.
They welcomed the facilitation of exchanges and interactions at all levels across all channels, including the Party, State, Government, and National Assembly; implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms effectively, especially the ministerial mechanism on connecting the two economies.
President Vo Van Thuong (R) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA)
The two sides also underscored the importance of expanding the successful Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model and strengthening educational collaboration while fostering people-to-people exchanges, especially among young generations of both countries.
Apart from advancing traditional areas of cooperation, the leaders pledged to intensify joint work in new fields, such as innovation, clean energy, just energy transition, digital transformation and talent exchange for innovation.
On global and regional issues, they concurred that amid the complex and uncertain developments in the world, both sides should uphold their shared stance and offer mutual support for peace, stability, cooperation and development.
They also affirmed the significance of maintaining ASEAN solidarity and common stance on important global and regional issues, including the East Sea issue.
During a Hanoi reception for the Singaporean leader, he highlighted the visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
Expressing delight at the development of bilateral relations, the leader affirmed attaching importance to the enhancement of ties with Singapore, a neighbouring nation that holds a pivotal position regionally and internationally and has extensive experience in various fields.
Lee, who is in Vietnam from August 27-29, stressed that bilateral ties have been growing robustly and expanded into various new areas, adding Singapore values the further strengthening of its relationship with Vietnam.
He informed the host of the outcomes of his talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other Vietnamese leaders, and agreed with the Party leader's cooperation proposals, considering them crucial and strategic directions for bilateral ties in the near future.
The guest expressed his wish to strengthen coordination to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. He reaffirmed the shared stance on the maintenance of peace in the East Sea, respect of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), toward reaching an effective and substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The two pledged to enhance the sharing of experience in improving the capacity and position of the ruling parties, including the party building, personnel training and human resources development for Vietnam, and to work together more effectively at global and regional forums, as well as intensify high-level meetings and exchanges among different sectors and levels.
Q.Hoa t.h / VNA
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