Photo: chinhphu.vn

Vietnam has always had a policy of cooperating with Singapore to further bilateral relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

Dung stated this while receiving visiting Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam in Hanoi on Apr. 23, saying that the visit is an important milestone in the development of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between both countries.

The Prime Minister said there is huge potential for closer cooperation between the two countries. Especially, both are very similar and can support each other during cooperation and development for their mutual benefit.

He said he expects both countries to make more effort to strengthen cooperation in every field, including implementing the Vietnam- Singapore Agreement on Economy Connectivity.

In addition to trade and investment, Dung said that both countries should enhance ties in education and training, security and national defence, support each other at regional and international forums and liaise closely during the negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

He also suggested stepping up the exchange of delegations at all levels as well as holding more meetings to enhance solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding.

Meanwhile, the Singaporean president said his visit is to further multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economics, trade, investment and education and training.

Singapore always attaches importance to cooperating with Vietnam and hopes that relations between both countries will be raised to a higher level of development for the benefit of both peoples, said President Yam.

As Singaporean investors see Vietnam as an attractive investment destination, the President said he hopes that the Vietnamese government will create the best possible conditions for them to do business in Vietnam.

The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and Singapore ’s discussions to lift bilateral relations to a new height will bring about many practical benefits for both countries.

President Yam confirmed that Singapore is keen on closer cooperation with Vietnam and other ASEAN countries to keep the East Sea peaceful and stable while ensuring maritime freedom and for disputes in the East Sea to be resolved by peaceful methods.

Source: VNA