(VOVWORLD) - State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc lauded the widespread and effective development of Vietnam-Singapore friendship during a reception in Hanoi on Monday for Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan.
 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan in Hanoi, June 21, 2021. (Photo: VNA) |
Mr. Phuc hailed Singapore as the top investor in Vietnam since 2020 among 70 countries and territories investing in the country.
Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions and encouraging Singaporean firms to do business in the country, he said.
Minister Balakrishnan proposed several measures to boost bilateral ties, including establishing a working group to discuss digital partnership platform and the mutual recognition of coronavirus vaccination certificates.
President Phuc called for tapping advantages of free trade agreements, especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership while stepping up cooperation and information sharing within the framework of ASEAN initiatives on circular economy to ensure green and sustainable development.
Minister Balakrishnan stated that Singapore attaches importance to ensuring peace, stability, maritime and aviation security and freedom in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) based on rules, including the 1982 Untied Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
 PM Pham Minh Chinh hosts a reception for Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, June 21, 2021. |
Receiving Singapore’s top diplomat the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam will continue supporting and encouraging Singaporean firms to enhance investment and trade in the country.
The Vietnamese PM urged stepping up negotiations and signing of agreements to mutually recognise quarantine standards in agro-fisheries and processed food. He also proposed effectively realising specific terms in Vietnam-Singapore economic connectivity agreement.
He suggested Singapore share its experience in applying modern technology in tracing, testing and treating COVID-19 cases, boost cooperation in accessing safe and effective vaccines, as well as establish a working group to discuss mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, thus facilitating travel and resuming commercial flights when conditions allow.
The Singaporean FM affirmed that Singapore will actively promote issues of Vietnam’s interest, including trade, investment, digital economy, pandemic response and access to vaccines.