(VOVWORLD) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Tuesday met Singapore’s President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister as part of his ongoing official visit to Singapore.
 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh meets Singapore's President Halimah Yacob, July 31, 2018. |
President Halimah Yacob said Singapore wanted to promote a united, self-reliant, and creative ASEAN to serve developmental goals, narrow developmental gaps, and respond to security challenges. Mr. Minh said Vietnam will work closely with Singaporean partners as Singapore is the country’s top trade partner and investor.
 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. |
At his meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr. Minh reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of respecting its strategic partnership with Singapore. He urged Singapore to invest in industries with high technology content in line with the 4th industrial revolution.
The two sides agreed on the need to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, while settling disputes through peaceful means, respecting international law, and promoting ASEAN’s unity and central role. Deputy Prime Minister Minh urged the two countries to promote free trade, connectivity and international economic integration as well as to work closely in approving the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP).
During talks earlier the same day, Mr. Minh and Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balrakrishnan agreed to work closely at regional and global forums, particularly within ASEAN. Mr. Minh said Vietnam will cooperate with Singapore to implement targets and priorities set out by Singapore as ASEAN Chair 2018.
They agreed on the need to abide by agreed principles and urged countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, take measures to facilitate trust-building, and refrain from conducting activities that will complicate the situation or increase disputes. Mr. Minh praised Singapore’s efforts in promoting negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
The two officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on principles for the operation of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Center.