Determined to take relations between Vietnam and Singapore to a new level.

The Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Singapore expressed their delight at witnessing the unprecedented and comprehensive development of bilateral cooperation across various fields, and affirmed their determination to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a new level.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

According to the Vietnam News Agency's special correspondent, on October 9th, in Vientiane, Laos, on the occasion of attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong held their first meeting within the framework of the annual meeting between the two Prime Ministers.

During the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Government and people of Singapore for their practical support in helping Vietnam overcome the consequences of Typhoon No. 3, emphasizing that this is clear evidence of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership and the friendship and sharing between the leaders and people of the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers expressed their pleasure at witnessing the unprecedented and comprehensive development of bilateral cooperation across various fields; and affirmed their determination to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a new level.

Both sides agreed that economic cooperation remains a crucial pillar in bilateral relations; they will coordinate the effective implementation of the Framework Agreement on Connecting the Two Economies and the Vietnam-Singapore Green and Digital Economic Partnership, especially in telecommunications infrastructure connectivity; develop a sustainable and smart VSIP 2.0 system; and develop clean energy.

The two Prime Ministers also emphasized the need to further strengthen cooperation in other important areas such as defense and security, education and training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam will create favorable conditions for Singaporean businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, while improving the quality of FDI flows and prioritizing high-tech sectors, digital economy, circular economy, innovation, semiconductors, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested Singapore's support in building a national innovation center for data science in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister also proposed that the two sides cooperate in food production, supply chain logistics, and agricultural and aquatic farming, aiming to become a regional food supply hub.

Delighted by the news that Vietnam became Singapore's largest rice supplier in the first six months of 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral agricultural cooperation to ensure food security; and stated his readiness to import fruits, food, and seafood from Vietnam.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong affirmed that Singapore will continue to support Vietnam in improving the quality of its human resources, especially strategic-level officials; maintain scholarships at all levels for Vietnam; and effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the Vietnam-Singapore Innovation Talent Exchange Program.

Regarding regional issues, the two countries agreed to strengthen ASEAN solidarity, pay due attention to the sustainable development of sub-regions in the region, including the Mekong Sub-region, thereby making a positive contribution to a resilient, prosperous and sustainable ASEAN, and enhancing its central role in the region.

The two Prime Ministers also affirmed their determination to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation, and development, and to work with ASEAN countries to promote negotiations on a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully invited the Prime Minister of Singapore and his wife to pay an official visit to Vietnam in 2025. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore happily accepted the invitation.

Source