Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates (Source: VNA)

Lee Hsien Loong said he believes that the Vietnamese people will record greater achievements in the country’s industrialisation and modernisation.

Trong affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to beef up the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with neighbouring and regional countries, including Singapore .

Both host and guest informed each other of respective country’s situation, discussed orientations and major solutions to promote bilateral cooperation in the time to come, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the fine development of the relationship since the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic ties almost 40 years ago.

They highlighted the significance and important results of the implementation of the Viet Nam-Singapore connectivity framework agreement and expanding Viet Nam-Singapore industrial parks.

The leaders reached consensus on elevating the two countries’ bilateral relations to strategic partnership and assigning their relevant agencies to soon complete contents for the signing of the Viet Nam-Singapore strategic partnership agreement in 2013 on the occasion of the 40 ^th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties.

They agreed to regularly exchange delegations at all levels with the aim of enhancing friendship and mutual understanding and exchanging leadership, managerial and socio-economic development experiences.

Apart from expanding and bringing into play the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms between the two countries’ sectors, it is necessary to raise the role and improve the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms between the two ruling parties and parliaments, said the Vietnamese Party leader.

Trong highlighted the role of PAP in national construction and development, affirming that the fine relationship of the two ruling parties is an important political basis to further promote the development of the two countries’ relations.

Both host and guest stressed the need to bring into full play and improve the efficiency of the implementation of the Viet Nam – Singapore framework agreement on the connectivity of the two economies, actively propose new connectivity fields, and determine fields to carry out more iconic projects like the Viet Nam – Singapore industrial parks.

Trong said Viet Nam will create favourable conditions for Singaporean investors and be ready to expand cooperation and investment in the fields of Singapore ’s strength.

The two leaders agreed to broaden cooperation in education and training, science and technology, tourism, national defence and security, among others.

They shared the view that 45 years after its establishment, ASEAN has kept growing and enjoyed deeper connectivity within the bloc, and with foreign countries and major political and economic centres worldwide.

In face of major difficulties and challenges, Viet Nam , Singapore and other ASEAN member countries need to continue boosting solidarity and cooperation, to maintain ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional structure, and to successfully build an united and strong ASEAN community by 2015, they said.

The two leaders expressed concerns on recent complication in the East Sea and their wish that the parties concerned would settle the disputes by peaceful means on the basis of the international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), proceeding to the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. The two sides agreed to intensify cooperation at regional and international forums.

Trong thanked Singapore for its support to Vietnam ’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term and the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

After the talks, the two sides issued a join press statement, which said both leaders agreed on the importance of achieving peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, as well as improving connectivity between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

Later, the two leaders witnessed the signing of three cooperation documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding on finance cooperation, the 2 nd amended protocol on double taxation avoidance and an agreement on research and training programmes for high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.