Vietnam, Singapore mark 50 years of diplomacy
VOV.VN - The 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic relations, which started in 1973, and the 10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership, which started in 2013, were celebrated by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore on July 17.
In his speech, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son reviewed the history of relations and the achievements recorded over the past five decades, emphasizing that ties are growing steadily and that the establishment of their strategic partnership in 2013 has taken the two countries’ bilateral relations to new heights.
FM Son outlined that in the face of complicated developments in the region and the world, both sides should continue to step up collaboration at regional and international forums, thereby striving for a stronger and more prosperous ASEAN. Vietnam desires to continue to expand and deepen the strategic partnership, not only for the benefit of the two peoples, but also to contribute to peace, stability, co-operation, and prosperity in the region and in the world as a whole.
In response, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted the strong political ties that exists between the two countries. High-ranking leaders of the two countries meet regularly, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holding a successful official visit to Singapore in February and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong set to soon pay a visit to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Singaporean President Halimah Yacob also held a meeting with President Vo Van Thuong last May.
Regarding the economy, Minister Balakrishnan assessed that the Vietnamese side has always been one of the leading in Asia. Singaporean businesses are confident in Vietnam's long-term economic development prospects and from 2020, the island city state has been one of the leading sources of foreign investment in the nation.
He voiced his hope that the two sides will continue to consolidate the achievements made over the past 50 years to serve as a foundation for further co-operation in the next 50 years.
Associate Professor Bilveer Singh of the National University of Singapore said that Vietnam and Singapore are two very special countries in Southeast Asia. Despite the ups and downs, they have found similarities in political, economics, and especially security areas.