Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore, February 5, 2018. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM Minh reiterated Vietnam’s support for Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2018 and spoke highly of its focus on “resilience” and “innovation”. Both sides stressed the need to build a united and rule-based ASEAN and agreed that ASEAN should promote practical negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

They agreed to work together to help Vietnam’s agricultural products enter Singapore and promote Singapore’s investment in high technology in Vietnam and discussed joint operations by the two countries’ armed forces in anti-piracy patrols, search and rescue, submarine repair, and the fight against terrorism and cyber security threats.

During a meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, Minh proposed a number of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Aman said that Malaysia is committed to bolstering cooperation in economics, trade, and investment with Vietnam.

The two ministers underlined the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and maritime and air safety in the East Sea. They agreed that ASEAN needs to work closely with China to finalize the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.