Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to fostering traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with regional countries, including Singapore.
Lee Hsien Loong said he believes that the Vietnamese people will record greater achievements in its industrialisation and modernisation process.
Both leaders informed each other of their country’s situation, discussed orientations and major solutions to promote bilateral cooperation in the future, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
They expressed their delight at the fine development of the relationship and highlighted the significance and important results of the implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore connectivity framework agreement and expanding Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks.
They also agreed to elevate the two countries’ bilateral relations to strategic partnership and assign their relevant agencies to soon complete contents for the signing of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership agreement in 2013 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
They agreed to maintain regular exchange of delegations at all levels with the aim of enhancing friendship and mutual understanding and exchanging leadership, managerial and socio-economic development experiences.
Apart from expanding and bringing into play the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, it is necessary to raise the role and improve the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms between the two ruling parties and parliaments, said the Vietnamese Party leader.
Mr Trong highlighted PAP’s important role in national construction and development, affirming that the fine relationship of the two ruling parties is an important political basis to further promote the development of the two countries’ relations.
He said Vietnam will create favourable conditions for Singaporean investors and be ready to expand cooperation and investment in the fields of Singapore’s strength.
Both host and guest agreed to broaden cooperation in education and training, science and technology, tourism, national defence and security, among others.
They shared the view that 45 years after its establishment, ASEAN has kept growing and enjoyed deeper connectivity within the bloc, and with foreign countries and major political and economic centres worldwide.
In face of major difficulties and challenges, ASEAN member countries need to continue boosting solidarity and cooperation to maintain ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional structure, and to successfully build a united and strong ASEAN community by 2015, they said.
The two leaders expressed concerns over recent complications in the East Sea and their wish that disputes should be settled by peaceful means on the basis of the international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
Trong thanked Singapore for its support to Vietnam’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term and the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
After the talks, the two sides issued a join press statement, which said both leaders stressed the importance of achieving peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, as well as improving connectivity between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.
They witnessed the signing of three cooperation documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding on finance cooperation, the second amended protocol on double taxation avoidance and an agreement on research and training programmes for high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
