Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua. (Photo: The World and Vietnam Newspaper)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the strong development of bilateral relations since the upgrade to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam's historic visit to Singapore (March 2025), especially in economics and new fields (such as science-technology, clean energy connection, etc.).

Appreciating the effectiveness of the Political Consultation mechanism, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister suggested that the two sides continue to promote the important role of this mechanism in reviewing and proposing directions for cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, as well as discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern; at the same time, strengthening cooperation between functional units of the two ministries.

To promote the newly established framework of relations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels and channels, including the Party channel; closely coordinate to soon complete the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, for early announcement in 2025; promote the effective implementation of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and study the establishment of new mechanisms suitable to the level of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; continue to coordinate stances and support each other at international mechanisms.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed and suggested that Singapore continue to expand and upgrade the second-generation Vietnam-Singapore industrial park network (VSIP 2.0), prioritizing technology transfer, low carbon emissions and innovation; and soon bring this successful model to the Mekong sub-region, contributing to narrowing the development gap.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son also suggested that the two sides continue to closely coordinate in the fields of wind power export, carbon credit exchange, seaport development and transnational crime prevention and control.

Permanent Secretary Albert Chua thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for their attention and guidance; and pledged to coordinate effectively in implementing the results achieved during the visits of the two countries' senior leaders.

Affirming that Vietnam is an important partner of Singapore in the region, Secretary Albert Chua said that he will continue to support human resource training for Vietnam and ASEAN member countries, including Timor-Leste.

Mr. Albert Chua fully agreed with the proposal of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son on strengthening bilateral cooperation to stabilize food security, prevent and combat crimes, especially cybercrime; expand connectivity, including aviation connectivity, and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

The Permanent Secretary also supported Vietnam and Singapore to continue to closely coordinate to maintain solidarity and the central role of ASEAN, agreed to increase consultation and exchange at regional and international forums, as well as promote cooperation between functional units of the two countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

* Pursuant to the agreement between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, on August 26, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong and Permanent Secretary of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua co-chaired the 17th Session of the Vietnam-Singapore Political Consultation.

The 17th session of the Vietnam-Singapore Political Consultation. (Photo: The World and Vietnam Newspaper)

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong highly appreciated the important significance of the political consultation mechanism, especially when it was held at the right time when the two countries celebrated major holidays: the 60th anniversary of Singapore's National Day, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam's National Day on September 2.

In the spirit of frankness and trust, the two sides focused on reviewing the achieved results and proposing directions for implementing the agreements of the two countries' senior leaders in key areas since upgrading to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the historic visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife to Singapore (March 2025).

The two sides were pleased to note that, within the framework of the newly established relationship, bilateral cooperation has increasingly deepened and become effective in all areas, especially in the economy. Bilateral trade turnover has grown impressively, reaching more than 5.9 billion USD in the first 6 months of 2025, up 17.51% over the same period; Singapore's investment in Vietnam has increased nearly fivefold over the past 10 years, reaching 86.5 billion USD with 4,160 projects, ranking first among ASEAN countries and second in the world.

These achievements include important contributions from 20 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in 13 different provinces and cities of Vietnam. Cooperation in other important areas such as defense, security, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange is given importance, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

The two sides affirmed to closely coordinate to promote the newly established framework of relations, soon agree on the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; promote new fields that the two sides have complementary characteristics such as science and technology, innovation, carbon credits, clean energy connection, etc., towards the carbon neutrality plan by 2050 of the two Governments and realize the goal of "connecting the ASEAN power grid".

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong welcomed and suggested that Singapore prioritize the expansion and upgrading of the second-generation Vietnam-Singapore industrial park network (VSIP 2.0), bringing this symbol of successful cooperation to the Mekong sub-region, creating more growth momentum for the region.

Permanent Secretary Albert Chua agreed and suggested that the two sides cooperate more closely in ensuring food security, preventing and combating cross-border crimes, including cybercrime; continue to strengthen cooperation between military branches, including the navy; affirm that Singapore is always ready to share experiences with Vietnam and Mekong countries not only in human resource training, digital transformation, smart cities... but also in the aspiration to become a regional logistics center.

Discussing the international and regional situation, the two Deputy Ministers agreed that multilateralism, equal relations, balance of interests, and harmony in approaches between countries are prerequisites for peace and stability.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong also hoped that Singapore would continue to demonstrate its strong commitment and take the lead in promoting respect for and compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS. The two sides shared their assessments and determination to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation and development; together with ASEAN countries, seriously, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), contributing to creating a favorable environment for negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC); and continue to support each other's candidacy at multilateral mechanisms, especially at the United Nations.

The 17th Political Consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore was a great success. The two sides agreed to hold the 18th Political Consultation in Singapore in 2026.

* On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, received Permanent Secretary Albert Chua, Head of ASEAN SOM Singapore. The two sides agreed that Vietnam and Singapore share many strategic interests, common views and concerns in ASEAN, which is the foundation for the two countries to cooperate closely in ASEAN since Vietnam joined in 1995.

The two sides pledged to continue to coordinate to improve the effectiveness of ASEAN mechanisms, continue to build a developed and self-reliant ASEAN, maintain its central role in the region and contribute more effectively to solving regional and global issues, especially in the coming time when Singapore is the ASEAN Chair 2027 and Vietnam is the host country of APEC 2027 and then ASEAN Chair 2029.

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/tham-khao-chinh-tri-viet-nam-singapore-lan-thu-17-157136.html