(VOVworld) - 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.
Vietnam and Singapore enhance bilateral strategic partnership |
The two Government leaders held talks on Thursday immediately after a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi for the Singaporean Prime Minister. During the talks, the two sides agreed to create a favorable 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, and continue to help Vietnam improve capacity in financial service by encouraging Singaporean firms to engage stronger in the field in Vietnam. Singapore will help Vietnam develop smart cities, facilitate startup firms, especially in science-technology, capital access and management capacity. PM Lee stated that Singapore will provide more scholarships for Vietnamese young people in the framework of bilateral and ASEAN cooperation. The two sides also shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They committed to accelerate trade liberalization, participate in regional initiatives, and seek solutions to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). 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.
At the end of the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a number of cooperative agreements.
Speaking a press conference after the talks, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam and Singapore signed 6 agreements which reflect the success of the Singaporean Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam. Prime Minister Phuc clarified Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue: “Concerning the East Sea issue, we agreed on the importance of developing the East Sea into a region of peace, friendship, compliance with international law, and an East Sea of freedom of navigation and overflight and development. We discussed issues of mutual concern, building a united, dynamic, and creative ASEAN and enhancing ASEAN’s central role in addressing strategic issues in the region.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his visit created a momentum to boost the bilateral strategic partnership.