Hoàng Bình Quân (R) head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations receives Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Viet Nam and Singapore should deepen their strategic partnership through multifaceted co-operation, bilaterally and on regional and international fora, a senior Party official said yesterday.

Hoàng Bình Quân, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, said this while receiving Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Balakrishnan, visiting Việt Nam for the first time as Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke highly of the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

He expressed his pleasure at the achievements of bilateral co-operation between the two countries thus far, noting that they had always maintained trustworthy political ties through regular contacts and exchanges of high-ranking delegations.

Effective economic co-operation has been a motivator of bilateral ties as evidenced by the development of seven Việt Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks in 20 years, Balakrishnan said, adding that Singapore attaches great importance to promoting ties with Vietnam in all fields in the spirit of their strategic partnership.

On the East Sea issue, the Minister affirmed Singapore has practical interests in ensuring the freedom of maritime and over-flight navigation, and wished that all sides observe international law and bring ASEAN’s role into play in turning the East Sea into an area of peace and friendship.

Quân appreciated the comprehensive development of ties between the two countries in recent years, including the training of officials for the Communist Party of Việt Nam under a new agreement signed for the 2017-2019 period.

He called for active implementation of signed agreements, and efficient use of co-operation mechanisms. Exchanges between high-ranking delegations should be stepped up to promote comprehensive bilateral co-operation, he said.

He said the two countries should further promote co-operation in trade, investment, education, and training and cooperation on international and regional multilateral forums, especially within ASEAN and relevant mechanisms.

This would make their strategic partnership deep, practical and commensurate with the wishes and benefits of both peoples, contributing to peace, stability and co-operation in the region, he added.

Quân said he highly valued Singapore’s consistent, responsible position on the East Sea issue. He wished that Singapore, as a co-ordinator of China-ASEAN relations, would continue its contributions to boosting the relationship.

He also hoped Singapore would push for implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as talks to sign a Code of Conduct (COC) for the East Sea, making it a zone of peace, co-operation and development. — VNS