MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of His Excellency Pham Binh Minh, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 30 to 31 July 2018

His Excellency Pham Binh Minh, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is on an Official Visit to Singapore at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. 

Deputy Prime Minister Minh paid courtesy calls on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this afternoon. They reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Vietnam, marked by the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthen economic and financial cooperation under the Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership which is in its fifth year. They also discussed regional developments, including ASEAN and the importance of deepening economic integration through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Minh had a meeting with Minister Balakrishnan, who also hosted him to breakfast.  They noted the strong economic and people-to-people relations between our two countries, underpinned by warm ties between our leaders. Deputy Prime Minister Minh welcomed more Singapore investments and assured that Vietnam would provide a pro-business environment in Vietnam. Minister Balakrishnan and Deputy Prime Minister Minh agreed there is potential to enhance air connectivity between Singapore  and Vietnam, and within the region. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the principles for the operation of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre in Hanoi which would enhance bilateral cooperation in human resource development. Deputy Prime Minister Minh expressed support for Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship and looked forward to the Ministerial discussions at the 51^st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings from 1 to 4 August 2018.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

31 JULY 2018

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the principles for the operation of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre between Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. (Photo credit: MFA)