Singapore, Vietnam set orientations for broader cooperation

At their talks in Hanoi on October 26, the two diplomats expressed their delight at the rapid and vigorous growth of the bilateral relationship over recent years.

They hailed the trusted and close political ties as evidenced in the regular exchange of high-ranking delegations and meetings, especially the State visit to Singapore by President Tran Dai Quang last August and the official visit to Vietnam by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean last September.

The two FMs suggested optimizing the existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Economic Connectivity Ministerial Meeting, the deputy ministerial-level Defence Policy Dialogue, the deputy ministerial-level Political Consultation and a training programme for Vietnamese law enforcement officers.

On this occasion, they inked an agreement on research programmes for senior Vietnamese Party officials for 2017-2019 and shared the view that the economic and trade links remain a bright spot in the bilateral relationship.

Singapore has been a leading trade and investment partner of Vietnam with its investment in Vietnam reaching nearly US$38 billion as of June 2016.

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in turn affirmed Singapore's desire to beef up the intensive and pragmatic collaboration with Vietnam across a variety of fields for the sake of the two countries’ people, as well as for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two sides also highlighted the result-oriented partnership between the two countries in national defence and security, in such areas as anti-terrorism, cyber and maritime security, and submarine rescue operations.

Singapore pledged to help Vietnamese law enforcement forces improve their capacity in combating crimes, particularly terrorist and high-tech crimes.

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan promised to encourage Singaporean competent agencies to work with the Vietnamese side to start talks on an agreement on labour cooperation.

The two officials also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern, consenting to continue the two countries’ coordination and mutual support at regional and global forums, especially ASEAN and the UN.

Deputy PM Minh appreciated Singapore’s consistent stance on the East Sea issue as well as the country’s role and tangible contributions as the coordinator for ASEAN-China relations for 2015-2018.

They affirmed ASEAN’s common stance on the settlement of disputes in the East Sea and committed to maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of maritime and aviation in the sea.

They called on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint, not use or threaten to use force, fully respect diplomatic and legal procedures, settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).