Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc talks on the phone with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo

 HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has agreed to strengthen cooperation between Việt Nam and Singapore during talks on the phone with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on Friday.

PM Phúc said he appreciated Singapore's efforts and comprehensive measures to control the spread of disease and minimise the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. He said he believed that Singapore would control the pandemic soon.

The PM shared Việt Nam's experience on the transition to a new normal state. The country was promoting economic development and actively preventing the pandemic at the same time.

He emphasised the importance of international and regional cooperation in the current context, appreciating the two countries' support for each other in medical supplies and repatriation of citizens.

The PM also expressed thanks for the support and contribution of Singapore and Prime Minister Lee to the success of high-level ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three virtual summits on COVID-19 which were held on April 14.

Prime Minister Lee said he was impressed by Việt Nam's success in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for sharing medical supplies with Singapore, saying it showed the solidarity, friendship and partnership between the two countries. He appreciated Việt Nam's role and initiatives as the Chair of ASEAN 2020 to promote intra-regional and ASEAN cooperation with key partners in dealing with and mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

Both leaders agreed to keep the momentum of a Việt Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership through contacts, high-level visits, and bilateral cooperative mechanisms.

They also agreed to continue strengthening the linkage of the two economies to ensure the sustainability of the supply chain as the global and regional economies are facing challenges.

PM Phúc said Việt Nam treasures cooperation to ensure food security, welcoming preparations for the early signing of a bilateral agreement on rice trading, under which Singapore will import Vietnamese rice long term.

The two leaders also exchanged views on reopening flights and travel to boost trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchange after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both leaders voiced support for each other at multilateral forums. PM Lee reiterated continued close cooperation and strong support for Viet Nam’s Presidency of ASEAN in 2020 and the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Both PMs underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom, and security of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. They agreed on joint efforts to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and common views and boost negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. — VNS