Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính during his phone talk with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien-Loong on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien-Loong on Tuesday said his country gives high priority to relations with Việt Nam, during phone discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart Phạm Minh Chính.

Calling Chính to congratulate him over his election as Prime Minister of Việt Nam, Lee also appreciated Việt Nam’s success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and in socio-economic development as well as external relations.

In reply, Chính said he hoped to work closely with the Singaporean PM to further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries across all fields.

The two government leaders rejoiced at the positive developments in bilateral cooperation despite difficulties brought by COVID-19. They noted that Singapore was the biggest investor in Việt Nam in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.

They agreed to bolster joint work in fields of the countries’ potential and strength, such as finance, information technology, agro-fisheries, education-training, and infrastructure, while seeking to expand cooperation in areas related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as clean energy, smart city, innovation, digital economy, as well as the sharing of experience in management, economic development, and human resources training.  

The two sides agreed to boost cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and facilitating the repatriation of each other’s citizens, and accelerate negotiations on travel preferential regulations between the two countries toward resuming safe commercial flights that suit the situation in each country and in the region to promote bilateral trade, investment and tourism ties.

Chính appreciated the close and effective cooperation between Việt Nam and Singapore at regional and international forums, and thanked Singapore for supporting Việt Nam as Chair of ASEAN in 2020. He asked Singapore to continue backing Việt Nam in its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the remainder of 2021.

The two PMs affirmed their resolve to make active contributions to building a strong, united and resilient ASEAN Community with a central role and common voice in regional and international peace and security issues.   

Chính invited the Singaporean PM to visit Việt Nam at a suitable time. Lee accepted the invitation and expressed his wish to welcome the Vietnamese PM to Singapore. — VNS