Singapore (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang has affirmed Vietnam’s consistent polic🧸y of treasuring and fostering the Strategic Partnership with Singapore to mak꧋e the ties more trustworthy and effective.

He made the affirmation at his talks with Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam on August 29 following an official ceremony to welcome his State visit to Singapore in the Istana Presidential Palace. The Vietnamese leader lauded great achievements that the Singaporean Government and people have gained, especially in economic development. The Singaporean leader expressed belief that President Tran Dai Quang’s visit will significantly contribute to bringing the bilateral Strategic Partnership to the next level. Both sides showed their pleasure at the speedy and strong growth of bilateral ties since the two countries set up their Strategic Partnership in 2013. They agreed to strengthen exchanges of high-level and all level delegations to boost cooperation of sectors in specific areas. President Tran Dai Quang highly valued Singapore for being the leading trade and investment partner of Vietnam over the years. Meanwhile, President Tony Tan Keng Yam stated that Singaporean enterprises are satisfied with the investment and business environment in Vietnam and willing to expand operations. The two sides also agreed to foster affiliation in different areas, such as defence, security, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchange. The same day, President Tran Dai Quang had a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who expressed his delight at the growing Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership, especially in trade and investment. The Vietnamese State leader appreciated Singapore’s support for Vietnam’s State personnel training. He shared Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s idea to further expand the bilateral ties in the future for the benefit of both peoples and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. The two leaders agreed to speed up the effective implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore Connectivity Framework Agreement. President Tran Dai Quang welcomed Singapore’s Vice Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s visit to Vietnam to attend a ceremony marking the 20 th anniversary of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park . Singapore has been one of the top investment and trade partners of Vietnam , with two-way trade reaching 9.3 billion USD in 2015. Singapore has run more than 1,600 projects in Vietnam with a total investment of nearly 38 billion USD, he noted. The two sides agreed on the increase of partnership on defence, security, education, tourism and culture. They also discussed regional and international issues, concurring to continue their close coordination and mutual support at regional and world forums, especially in the framework of the ASEAN and the United Nations, while working closely to strengthen the group’s unity and maintain its central role in the regional security architecture. They highlighted ASEAN’s common stance in dealing with disputes in the region, stressing the need to maintain peace, stability and maritime security and safety in the East Sea . They agreed on the settlement of disputes in the East Sea through all peaceful measures as well as the willingness to work with parties for the full and effective implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea as well as the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea to preserve peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that he will support Vietnam in the organisation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) Summit in 2017. Also on the day, President Tran Dai Quang and his wife paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh statue placed a park in front of the Asian Civilisation Museum. They also attended a ceremony to name orchid species after their names in the Botanic Garden of Singapore. The naming of orchid species, first held in 1957, is also known as orchid diplomacy aiming to foster Singapore’s ties with countries. Late on the day, President Tony Tan Keng Yam will host a state banquet for President Tran Dai Quang and the Vietnamese delegation.-VNA