The following is the full text of the Joint Statement.

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AND THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY NGUYEN XUAN PHUC, PRIME MINISTER OF VIETNAM TO SINGAPORE

(25-27 APRIL 2018)

1             At the invitation of His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Madam Tran Nguyet Thu made an official visit to Singapore from 25 to 27 April 2018. The visit was a key highlight of the celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Singapore in 2018. During the visit, Prime Minister Phuc was accorded a ceremonial welcome and had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Lee who also hosted an official dinner in Prime Minister Phuc’s defence, security, culture, and people-to-people links.

4             The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that the two countries are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation given the new opportunities presented by strong economic growth in the two countries and the region, as well as the ASEAN Community and the newly signed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), among others.

5             Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to and initiatives on strategic issues through consultation. 

6             Both Prime Ministers welcomed the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, and agreed that both sides should organise events in 2018 on this occasion to strengthen political, trade/economic and people-to-people exchanges, in order to further promote mutual understanding.

7             Both Prime Ministers noted that the extensive investment and trade ties form a key pillar of the bilateral relationship and agreed on the importance of creating a pro-business environment such as through the enforcement of regulations and consistent government policies, strengthening business-to-business links and facilitating the expeditious resolution of challenges faced by businesses. Highlighting that Singapore is the third largest investor in Vietnam, Prime Minister Phuc welcomed more investments from Singapore, particularly in the privatisation of Vietnam's state-owned enterprises and in the fields of energy (including LNG and renewable energy), tourism (including cruise development, product management and marketing), infrastructure (including highways and seaports), urban solutions, science and technology, high-tech parks, smart cities (in the areas of public safety and security, smart mobility and digital infrastructure), and in the digital economy (including tie-ups between Singaporean and Vietnamese start-ups). Prime Minister Phuc will witness the signing of several MOUs at the Vietnam-Singapore Business Dialogue on 26 April 2018.

8             Recognising the existing value of two-way bilateral trade in agricultural commodities including fresh fruit and vegetables, forestry products and fisheries for the economies of both countries, the two sides and other business links. The two Prime Ministers encouraged joint business initiatives to and financial stability surveillance. 

10           The two Prime Ministers affirmed the commitment for the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Vietnam National Office of Intellectual Property to collaborate with each other to leverage on innovation and intellectual property (IP) to promote economic growth. The 2018 Implementation Workplan, established under the Memorandum of Bilateral Cooperation between the two national IP offices, will provide for deeper cooperation in the areas of IP and IP training.

11           Both Prime Ministers agreed to actively promote connectivity between the two countries as a means to boost business and people-to-people linkages. Both sides agreed that there was potential to enhance air connectivity and grow passenger and cargo traffic between and beyond Singapore and Vietnam, and looked forward to a progressive defence ties and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation through high-level visits and cyber security etc. Singapore also stood ready to assist Vietnam with its capacity building in the areas of immigration management, crime database and centrality, as well as to ensure the effective implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2025.

19           The two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. The two countries underlined the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The two sides reaffirmed their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of an effective and binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.  

20           As Chairman of ASEAN 2018, Singapore reaffirmed its support for continued assistance to CLMV in narrowing the development gap, through the Singapore Cooperation Programme and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration.

21           Prime Minister Phuc expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Lee and other leaders of Singapore to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time.

Source: vov.vn