VFF President asks Singapore to strengthen people-to people exchange

He made the statement on June 21 during a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.

President of the VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien (R) meets with Singaporean FM Vivian Balakrishnan.

The cooperation will focus on enhancing exchange delegations at all levels and organize people-to-people exchange activities between the two countries towards the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership in 2023, Chien said.

He appreciated the positive development in the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore in all fields from politics, foreign affairs, trade, investment, education and culture to people-to-people exchange.

Despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore remains the largest investor in Vietnam with nearly 9 billion USD in 2020 and more than 5.26 billion USD in the first five months of this year.

Congratulating Singapore for becoming a bright spot in the region when overcoming short-term challenges in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the VFF President said that such efforts have helped protect the health of the people and promote Singapore's socio-economic development, contributing to the overall recovery of the ASEAN region.

At the meeting

Chien said he hoped that the Singapore Government would continue to support and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Singapore to continue studying and working with peace of mind, especially in the context of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said after many years of diplomatic relations, the close friendship between Singapore and Vietnam has been increasingly consolidated and developed. In particular, the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) continue to be a symbol of economic collaboration between the two countries.

While lauding the good relationship between the VFF and Singapore’s PA,  Balakrishnan wished that in the coming period the two sides would continue to promote cooperation, especially in people-to-people exchange.

"I believe that each Vietnamese citizen living in Singapore or each Singaporean living in Vietnam will be ambassadors who contribute to tightening the diplomatic relationship between the two countries," he said.

Source: VNA