Vietnam and Singapore discussed measures to strengthen bilateral
cooperation at their seventh political consultation and the 3 rd
exchange between the two countries’ foreign ministries in Hanoi on
March 22.
The meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Vinh and Permanent
Secretary of the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bilahari
Kausikan.
They noted with satisfaction the positive
development in friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam
and Singapore .
This year, Vietnam and
Singapore will organise a number of activities to celebrate the 40 th
anniversary of their diplomatic ties (August 1, 1973-2013), including
the exchange of visits by their high-ranking leaders, aiming to increase
cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment and culture, thus
proceeding to a strategic partnership in the near future.
Both sides acknowledged the effective cooperation between the two
foreign ministries, and affirmed to maintain the annual political
consultations to promote mutual trust and understanding.
They agreed to work together at regional and international forums,
especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to
build the ASEAN Community by 2015.
The sides voiced
their support for strengthening solidarity in ASEAN and increasing the
association’s role in settling issues relating to peace and security in
the region, as well as encouraging its dialogue partners’ involvement in
regional cooperation mechanisms.
They stressed the
importance of peace, stability, and maritime security in the East
Sea , the implementation of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ six-point
principles on the East Sea , the ASEAN-China Joint Declaration on
the occasion of the 10 th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards the Code of
Conduct (COC).
At the meeting, both sides agreed to hold the next consultation in Singapore next year.
On March 21, Kausikan was received by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh,
who emphasised the importance of consolidating the two countries’
relationship.-VNA