Vietnam, Singapore share concern over terrorism

It was one of the important agenda during Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh’s visit to Singapore from July 13-15 at the invitation of Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. 

Both sides agreed to continue facilitating all-level visits and exchanges on the Party, State and government channels and people-to-people exchange, effectively tap strategic consultation mechanisms and enhance ties between the two countries’ defence forces, particularly in naval and aviation fields, anti-piracy cooperation and search and rescue. 

The Singaporean side pledged to boost security collaboration with Vietnam, especially in cyber security, sharing of anti-terrorism intelligence information, immigration management, information security and personnel training. 

Underscoring the strong growth of trade and investment, considering it a pillar in the bilateral strategic partnership, Singapore vowed to assist Vietnam in economic reform, constructive government building and market opening while encouraging Vietnamese firms to join the global supply chain and serve as a bridge connecting Vietnam and the Southeast Asia. 

The host side shared experience in policy making regarding urban management, corruption prevention, administrative reform, e-government, personnel training, and expressed readiness to share information and send experts to Vietnam to offer training. 

On regional and global issues, they called attention to building a united ASEAN which plays a central role in dealing with strategic issues in the region, especially the East Sea issue. 

Both sides affirmed the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect to diplomatic and legal process without the use of force or threat to use force and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards reaching a legally-binding and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

Deputy PM Binh spoke highly of Singapore’s role in coordinating ASEAN- China ties and affirmed that Vietnam would continue working closely with Singapore to help the country successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair in 2018. 

During the three-day visit, Binh held talks with and attended a banquet hosted by Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean, paid courtesy calls to President Tony Tan Keng Yam and PM Lee Hsien Loong, attended a luncheon hosted by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and held working sessions with Singaporean agencies. 

On the occasion, he laid a wreath at a monument dedicated to late President Ho Chi Minh and is scheduled to meet Vietnamese nationals in Singapore on July 15.