The leaders expressed their delight at the development of the two countries’ relationship since the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic ties almost 40 years ago, and agreed to assign relevant agencies to compete contents for the signing of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership agreement in 2013.

During his stay in Singapore, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had talks and meetings with Singapore’s Prime Minister and Secretary General of the People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Chairman of PAP, Minister for National Development of Singapore Khaw Boon Wan. All the talks and meetings between the two countries’ leaders took place in the open, frank, informal and friendly atmosphere.
 

The two sides expressed their satisfaction at fine development in the bilateral relations for nearly 40 years. The political relations have been promoted with regular exchanges of high-ranking delegations at all levels. The economic and trade relations have rapidly developed. Singapore has been one of the leading trade and investment partners of Vietnam over the years. The leaders highlighted the significance and important achievements of the implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore connectivity framework agreement and expanding Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks and the important role of the two countries’ business communities in improving the effectiveness of cooperation on economy, trade, investment and expanding cooperation fields within the agreement.

The results reached in talks, meetings and contacts between the two countries’ leaders together with signed cooperation agreements showed that the two countries shared a common concern, awareness and desire for further deepening the bilateral relations and lifting it to a strategic partnership by 2013. The leaders consented to regularly exchange delegations at all levels with the aim of enhancing friendship and mutual understanding and exchanging leadership, managerial and socio-economic development experiences. To further promote economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries, the two leaders pledged to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the framework agreement, actively propose new fields for connectivity and define potential areas to implement other large projects, such as VSIP industrial zone. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that Vietnam would continue providing favourable conditions for foreign investors, including Singapore to expand cooperation and do business in Vietnam.

In terms of international and regional issues, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Singaporean leaders noted that the two countries shared similar viewpoints and have active coordination at both international and internal forums, particularly at ASEAN, APEC and ASEM. They believed that ASEAN member countries would strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome current challenges and difficulties to reach the target of sucessfully building the ASEAN community by 2015 and help it continue to grow and enjoy deeper connectivity with the bloc and with foreign countries and major political and economic centres worldwide.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with members of the Vietnamese delegation offered flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument in the precinct of the Asian Civilizations Museum and sing a song about President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong works at the Committee for Economic Development. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong addresses at Lee Kuan Yew School, Singapore. Photo: Tri Dung – VNA Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with representatives of the Singaporean Business Federation and some Singaporean businessmen. Photo: Tri Dung - VNA

Related to the issue in the East Sea, the two leaders agreed that all disputes must be settled through peaceful negotiations on the basis of the international law and the United Nations Charter, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea. They called for negotiations between ASEAN and China to follow this line of discussion at an early date to ensure marine security, safety and freedoom and an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation and coordination at international and regional forums. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong thanked Singapore for its support to Vietnam’s candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term and the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

The visit to Singapore by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a significant event, ushering in a new development period in the relations, multi-faceted cooperation and the friendship between the two nations in the common house of ASEAN.