Party leader Trong holds talks with Singaporean President
The two leaders have applauded the fine development of the close-knit relationship between the two countries in recent years, especially bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment.
During talks with President Tony Tan Keng Yam on September 13, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated Singapore on its development achievements which have helped elevate Singapore’s increasing international status.
He also informed his host about the outcome of his earlier talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as major orientations and specific measures to strengthen multifaceted cooperation in the coming time.
President Keng Yam said he hopes that Vietnam will gain even greater achievements in the process of national construction and development.
The two leaders praised the signing and effective implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore Connectivity Framework Agreement and the expansion of the Vietnam- Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) as iconic models for bilateral economic cooperation.
They highlighted the significance of establishing the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership in 2013 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties which will usher in a new chapter in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The two leaders noted with satisfaction over the close coordination at regional and international forums between Vietnam and Singapore within the ASEAN, APEC and ASEM frameworks.
They expressed their belief that ASEAN nations will reinforce solidarity and cooperation to achieve the target of building a prosperous and united ASEAN community by 2015.
On the East Sea issue, the two leaders agreed that all disputes should be settled through peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea to ensure maritime security, safety and freedom in the region.
Party leader Trong invited President Keng Yam to visit Vietnam soon and his invitation was accepted with pleasure.
*** The same day, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited some economic, cultural and scientific establishments in Singapore.
Droping in the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) - the lead government agency for planning and executing strategies to enhance Singapore's position as a global business centre, Mr Trong expressed the hope that Vietnam will receive more support from Singapore and from the EDB.
With 50 years of experience, the EDB has counselled the Singaporean Government with effective strategies that are good lessons for Vietnam, said Mr Trong.
Lifting the Vietnam-Singapore relationship to the status of strategic partnership will help promote relations between the EDB and Vietnam’s policy making agencies.
A developed Vietnam is synonymous with a larger market for Singapore and vice versa, Mr Trong said.
Party leader Trong then visited high tech centre Fusionopolis which is a research and development complex located at the One-North business park.
From 2010-2020, the Singaporean Government has decided to increase research & development (R&D) funding from SGD200 million to SGD 2.5 billion.
In 2010 alone, the Government’s total spending for R&D in both state and private sectors reached SGD 6.5 billion, accounting for 2.5 percent of the country’s GDP.
With around 2,000 scientists, researchers and managers, the centre focuses on fundamental, strategic, applied, experimental research to develop key sectors such as electronics, pharmaceutical biotechnology, transport technique and precise mechanics.
Mr Trong said learning experience from Singapore over the years, Vietnam has increased proper investment in R&D of potential scientific areas.
He said the two countries’ leaders have defined science and technology as one of the cooperative areas that hold huge potential for development, and hoped that Vietnamese and Singaporean scientific research centres will boost closer cooperation in the future.
At Singapore’s National Orchid Garden, Party leader Trong named a new type of light yellow orchid with five beautiful petals as ”Chang Lin” which extends the best wishes for a developed and prosperous Singapore.
