Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of theNational Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue and visiting Speaker of the Singaporean ParliamentTan Chuan-Jin held talks in Hanoi on May 18, sharing view on the need for theircountries to further intensify overall relations and parliamentary ties so asto step up the strategic partnership.

Speaker Tan, who is paying an officialvisit to Vietnam, thanked the country for supporting Singapore in COVID-19response, noting the two countries’ cooperation and mutual assistance aregrowing even more strongly.

ChairmanHue congratulated Singapore for successfully containing the pandemic andreopening the economy. He also appreciated its precious provision of COVID-19vaccine and medical supplies for Vietnam and said he hopes the two sides willcontinue cooperating in scientific research on COVID-19 and other epidemics,firstly the current unexplained hepatitis in children.

Vietnam attaches great importance to the countries’ strategic partnership andviews Singapore as one of its leading partners in ASEAN in terms of bothpolitics and economy, he stressed, asking both sides to coordinate closely toprepare for the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomaticties and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023.

He noted Singapore is a leadinginvestor in Vietnam, and that the Vietnamese NA and Government always welcomeforeign investors, including those from Singapore, and pledge to keep reformingand perfecting policies and laws while helping address obstacles to Singaporeanprojects in the country.

Suggesting the two sides continue sharing experience in developing a digital economy,a green economy, and renewable energy, Hue expressed his hope for strongercooperation to connect Vietnamese cities with Singapore to exchange experiencein green and sustainable development.

The top legislators held that thesigning of a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments this time willhelp further tighten bilateral links, especially by increasing all-levelcontacts and discussions in different forms, sharing institutional buildingexperience, maintaining coordination at multilateral forums and organisations,and supporting each other’s stances on regional and international issues ofcommon concern.

Hue suggested Tan help connectVietnamese and Singaporean businesses in agriculture, especially hi-techfarming, and promote the city state’s import of high-value products from Vietnam.

He asked both countries to focus on acooperation model in which products are invented in Singapore and produced inVietnam; effectively implement cooperation in defence, personnel training, humanitarianaid, disaster relief, and crime fight.

The host leader recommended the two parliamentssupport the negotiation and signing of a memorandum of understanding oncooperation in cyber security and some other important documents on mutuallegal assistance and transnational crime combat.

The Chairman voiced his hope that Singaporewill bring into play its role in the region, help with connectivity enhancementand community building in ASEAN, maintain the bloc’s centrality, and coordinateASEAN’s common stance on regional issues.

He called on his counterpart to continuesupporting ASEAN’s common stance on safeguarding peace, stability, security,safety, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, and peacefully resolvingdisputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Hue thanked Singapore for backingVietnam’s candidacy for membership in the Commission on the Limits of the ContinentalShelf for 2023 - 2028, asking it to support Vietnam to run for a seat in theLegal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority for 2023 -2027.

Agreeing with his host’s proposals,Tan said the two countries boast strong economic ties, and Singaporean firms’enormous trust in Vietnam remains unchanged and is still increasing.

He shared the view that the countries can work together more closely in boostingdigital transformation, green economy, and sustainable development.

Singapore supports its enterprises toseek investment and business opportunities in multiple localities of Vietnam,he noted, adding that the success in economic relations will create not only valuein terms of the money flow but also people-to-people connectivity, friendship,and amity between the two countries.

Showing support for his guest’sopinions, Chairman Hue affirmed that their countries still have much room forreinforcing all-round cooperation, in which the collaboration in law and policymaking is highly important. The two parliaments have sufficient conditions andneed to cement their ties so as to actively and effectively contribute to theVietnam - Singapore strategic partnership.

Following the talks, the leaders signed a cooperation agreement between the twoparliaments./.