Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh welcomed development experience from former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew during their meeting on Jan. 17.

At the Party Central Committee's head office, General Secretary Manh commended the experience and contribution of Lee, now the Singapore's Minister Mentor, which has strengthened bilateral co-operation between the two nations over the past years.

General Secretary Manh congratulated Singapore's government for its achievements in leading a highly developed country.

The General Secretary affirmed the consistent policy of Viet Nam toward increasing and expanding co-operative relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours for the benefit of peace, stability and development in the region.

Lee told the General Secretary that he believed Viet Nam would grow at a high but sustainable rate when the country promoted the implementation of socio-economic policies and administrative reforms.

He said Singapore's policies were expanding its co-operation and sharing experience with Viet Nam, and he wished that the latter's role on the regional and international stages would be raised from achievements of the people and Government.(VNA)