(VOVWORLD) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on Monday hailed the ongoing visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as an important milestone in the development of ties between the two countries.
 Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong in Hanoi on August 28, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
During a reception in Hanoi for the Singaporean leader, Mr. Trong reiterated that Vietnam attaches importance to enhancing relations with Singapore, a neighboring nation that holds a pivotal position in the region and the world.
PM Lee stressed that bilateral ties have been growing robustly and expanded into various new areas, adding Singapore values its relationship with Vietnam.
He reaffirmed the shared stance on the maintenance of peace in the East Sea, respect for 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 an effective and substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
 President Vo Van Thuong and PM Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA) |
The same day, President Vo Van Thuong and PM Lee Hsien Loong agreed to boost the implementation of the Green-Digital Economic Partnership established in February this year and welcomed the facilitation of exchanges and interactions at all levels across all channels.
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.
They shared the view that amid complex and uncertain developments in the world, both sides should uphold their shared stance and offer mutual support. They also affirmed the significance of maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity and common stance on important global and regional issues, including the East Sea issue.
 National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and PM Lee Hsien Loong. (Photo: quochoi.vn) |
At a meeting with PM Lee, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue 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.
PM Lee said Singapore is interested in developing renewable energy, and is 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.
The leaders agreed that the two sides should consider expanding the Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) model in a green - clean - smart direction towards developing an industrial - urban ecosystem.
The two countries should proceed to open more direct flights from Singapore to Vietnam's tourist destinations, and expand connection in cruise ship tourism.
They 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).