Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VGP)

Mr. Dung said that following the visit, mutual trust between Vietnam and Singapore will be strengthened. Both sides agreed to forge closer ties in defense-security, particularly cyber security, building an ASEAN of solidarity, resilience, and innovation, and maintaining the group’s central role in regional structure. Both sides shared ASEAN common view on maintaining peace, stability, security, navigation and overflight safety in the East Sea, peacefully settling disputes, fully respecting diplomatic and legal processes without  threat of force or use of force, on the basis of international laws, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also voiced their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and prompt completion of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, which should be effective and binding.

Deputy FM Dung said the highlight of the visit was to create a framework for close connectivity between the governments and businesses and between businesses of the two countries. The Business Forum, which was attended by 700 delegates, a record high figure, has shown special interest in the two economies’ connectivity.  Both signed more than 20 documents and agreements worth a total of nearly 3 billion USD in essential areas like liquefied gas, agriculture, aviation, urban planning, and tourism-hotel complex. 

Leaders of 10 ASEAN countries posed for a photo (Source: Organizing Board)

According to the Deputy FM, the ASEAN Summit continued to focus on East Sea issues with leaders affirming that maintaining peace, security, and stability in the East Sea is the common interest and responsibility of regional countries.

Mr. Dung said the Vietnamese delegation proactively participated in panel discussions and contributed to drafting documents of the Summit. PM Phuc voiced his strong support for the topics and priorities of ASEAN in 2018 and proposed orientations for further cooperation between ASEAN and its partners to promote the Association’s resilience and innovation. He stressed that ASEAN needs to improve its resilience in which solidarity and unity play a key role. Welcoming the implementation of an initiative for ASEAN Smart Cities Network, Mr. Phuc agreed that ASEAN needs to promote innovation and seize opportunities of the Industry 4.0. PM Phuc and other ASEAN leaders applauded the positive outcomes of the inter-Korean Summit on April 27 and called for more effort to boost cooperation, dialogue, and trust building.