The official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his spouse, taking place after the Singapore visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse in last February, is an important activity in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomes Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Photo: www.qdnd.vn) |
It is sure that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Singapore half a century ago was a milestone marking the beginning of a decade-long journey of the close and continuously strong developing relations between the two countries.
In 1973, Singapore was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam after the Paris Peace Accords were signed. Forty years later, the country was one of the first ASEAN member states to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam, bringing cooperation between the two countries to a new height on the basis of sincerity, respect, mutual trust, equality, mutual benefit, and for the benefit of the people of each country.
Over the past 50 years of ups and downs in the history and changes in the situation, the Vietnam - Singapore relationship, nurtured by leaders and peoples of the two countries, has developed more strongly, dynamically, comprehensively, substantively, and effectively.
While cooperation between the two parties, states, governments, and N.A.s has been constantly expanded, the economic relationship is considered a highlight in the relationship between the two countries. Particularly, the two countries are always in the group of 15 largest trading partners of each other, of which Vietnam is Singapore's 12th largest trading partner, and Singapore is Vietnam's 15th largest one.
In the first six months of 2023, trade turnover between the two countries reached about USD 4.5 billion. Singapore leads ASEAN and ranks second in the world in terms of investment in Vietnam with more than 3,270 valid projects with a total registered capital of more than USD 73 billion. The Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) efficiently operates and is a symbol of the success in investment cooperation, contributing to Vietnam's economic recovery and development.
Notably, the two countries have established a digital economy - green economy partnership, creating a premise for promoting cooperation in new fields towards green and sustainable development. At the same time, Vietnam and Singapore have constantly paid attention to cooperation in such fields as defense, security, education-training, people-to-people exchange. Multilaterally, Vietnam and Singapore have also cooperated in regional and international issues of mutual concern and supported each other at multilateral forums, especially contributed to efforts of building a united, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN Community.
With a solid foundation that has been painstakingly cultivated over the past half-century, the Vietnam - Singapore relationship, which is cemented by a similar cultural background, close geographical location, and dual interests in the region and the world, will see many more new milestones to be established in the time ahead. This is also the basis for us to firmly believe that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's official visit to Vietnam will be a great success, contributing to lifting the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership to a new height, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperous development in the region.
Translated by Tran Hoai