Singapore (VNA) – Vietnam andSingapore held the 12th political consultation in the island city state onAugust 14, agreeing to make joint efforts to continue intensifying theirstrategic partnership.

At the event, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign MinisterNguyen Quoc Dung and Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Foreign MinistryChee Wee Kiong discussed the two countries’ relations, along with regional andinternational issues of common concern.

The officials said their countries will keepworking to enhance the two economies’ connectivity, actively contribute toASEAN’s solidarity and centrality, and boost coordination in strategic issuesamidst complex developments and growing trade frictions in the region and theworld.

They agreed on many concrete measures to furtherpromote Vietnam-Singapore cooperation in the time ahead, including increasingall-level mutual visits and meetings via all channels, including between theirparties, states, governments, parliaments and peoples, while maintaining andeffectively bringing into play bilateral cooperation and consultationmechanisms.

The two sides will work together to realise theoutcomes of the 14th economic connectivity ministerial meeting held inSingapore in March this year, especially in finance, information –communications, education – training, transport, investment, trade and services,so as to build on the recent economic partnership results.

Singapore is currently the third biggest foreigninvestor in Vietnam with over 2,000 valid projects worth nearly 50 billion USD.Additionally, the seven Vietnam – Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) havegreatly contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development and generated considerableeconomic benefits for Singaporean businesses, according to the officials.

Deputy Minister Dung asked both sides tocontinue with efforts to promote the two economies’ complementarity, createmore favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Singaporean goods to access eachother’s markets, and effectively implement the commitments under theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Permanent Secretary Chee underlined the wish toreinforcing cooperation in security, agricultural product trading, tourism,people-to-people exchange, and especially the new and important fields of theFourth Industrial Revolution like startup, smart city, financial technology andcyber security.

At the consultation, the two officials highlyvalued the outcomes of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held recentlyin Bangkok, Thailand.

Regarding the recent developments in the EastSea, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability,security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters. Theyalso called on the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, not threatento use or use force, resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis ofinternational law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea, and step up negotiations to soon finalise an effectiveand substantive Code of Conduct in the waters that is in line with internationallaw.

The Vietnamese official also spoke highly ofSingapore’s stance on the East Sea issue which shows its sense ofresponsibility and active role towards peace and stability in the region, aswell as the solidarity and strength of the ASEAN Community.

The two sides also expressed their delight atthe fruitful cooperation between the two foreign ministries, which has greatlyhelped with their countries’ strategic partnership.

They agreed to organise the 13th politicalconsultation in Vietnam next year.

During their stay in Singapore, the Vietnamesedelegation had a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan,who highlighted the significance of the countries’ strategic partnership toeach side along with the solidarity and development of the ASEAN Community.

The host noted with satisfaction that both sideshave sustained the development trend of the bilateral friendship andcooperation for decades. 

He also highly valued Vietnam’s developmentachievements and growing position in the international arena, voicing hisbelief that the country will do well when holding the ASEAN Chairmanship in2020 and serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for2020-2021. -VNA