Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Permanent Secretary in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua in Hanoi, on May 18th, 2023 (Photo: MOFA)

At the event, the two sides focused their discussion on progress of and directions to promote the implementation of the agreements reached by the two countries' leaders in key areas as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They affirmed that the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership has been deepening and growing effective in all fields, thus helping increase political trust.

The two sides were also delighted with outstanding achievements in trade and investment cooperation. Singapore's investment in Vietnam reached 71.3 billion USD with 3,100 projects, ranking first among ASEAN countries and fourth in total foreign investment in Vietnam, with the 14 Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in different regions of Vietnam contributing greatly to this result.

In addition, the two countries have boosted cooperation in other important fields such as national defense, security, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides vowed to work closely to enhance connectivity, raise the level of cooperation, well prepare for high-level visit exchanges, and organise practical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their Strategic Partnership this year.

The Singaporean official affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Singapore in the region. Singapore is always ready to share experiences with Vietnam and promote cooperation in fields of potential and strength such as digital transformation, technology and green energy (especially wind and solar power), smart city development, and food security.

The two sides agreed to maintain consultations and actively coordinate with other ASEAN member countries to promote the bloc’s unity and sustainable development, reform ASEAN's working style towards a dynamic, flexible, and efficient ASEAN, worthy of being the central force leading regional processes, effectively contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.

Discussing the international and regional situation, the two deputy ministers agreed that multilateralism, equal relations, balanced interests, and harmony in approach between countries are prerequisites for peace and stability.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Permanent Secretary in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua co-chaired the 15th Vietnam - Singapore Political Consultation: Overview of the meeting (Photo: MOFA)

The two sides also shared the determination to make the East Sea a sea of peace, cooperation, and development; together with ASEAN countries to strictly and fully implement the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), strive to soon achieve an effective, efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) following international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two sides agreed to hold the next one in Singapore in 2024.