MFA Press Statement: Exchange of congratulatory messages to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Vietnam

Singapore and Vietnam established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1973. To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the event, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam exchanged congratulatory messages with Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. The texts of the letters are appended below.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
1 AUGUST 2013
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Letter from President Tony Tan to President Truong Tan Sang

1 August 2013

His Excellency Truong Tan Sang
President
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Dear President Sang,

I would like to extend my warmest wishes to Your Excellency and the people of Vietnam on this 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Vietnam.

Looking back, our bilateral relations have taken great leaps forward in the past 40 years. Both countries share a close friendship. We cooperate closely to advance our common interests within ASEAN and at other regional and international fora. Bilateral economic cooperation is strong with Singapore being one of Vietnam’s largest investors. People-to-people links between our countries are robust and expanding. With the increase in connectivity, more and more Singaporeans are visiting Vietnam. In turn, we welcome the increasing number of Vietnamese who visit Singapore to study, work, and play.

This year, to consolidate the achievements of the past 40 years and set the direction for our future cooperation, we will elevate bilateral relations to that of a Strategic Partnership. It is my hope that both sides can use the Strategic Partnership to take our relations to greater heights.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

TONY TAN KENG YAM
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Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

1 August 2013

Dear Prime Minister Dung,

On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, I convey my best wishes to Your Excellency and the Government of Vietnam on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Vietnam.

Singapore and Vietnam enjoy close and substantive relations. The four successful Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) reflect our excellent economic ties. I look forward to opening the fifth VSIP during my visit to Vietnam this September. Our people-to-people ties are growing stronger, thanks to more frequent flights and exchanges between our peoples and businessmen. We also cooperate closely at regional and international fora, including ASEAN.

I am glad that we are elevating our bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. I am confident that this will inject fresh impetus to our partnership, and pave the way for even stronger relations in the future.

I wish you good health and success, and look forward to seeing you again in September.

Yours sincerely

LEE HSIEN LOONG

His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
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Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam to Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh

1 August 2013

His Excellency Pham Binh Minh
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Dear Excellency

I would like to convey my warmest wishes to you on this happy occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.

Singapore and Vietnam enjoy excellent relations because of our mutual respect and close cooperation. Our leaders enjoy close personal ties with frequent high-level exchanges over the years. Singapore and Vietnam work closely at various regional and international fora including ASEAN. We share many common interests, including the importance of strengthening ASEAN to maintain regional peace and stability. Economic cooperation continues to grow, buttressed by the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement. In a wide range of areas such as defence, education, and arts and culture, both sides are working more closely than ever.

With the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership this September, relations between our countries are poised to move to a higher level. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our relations.

Yours sincerely,

K SHANMUGAM