Attending the event were Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; representatives of leaders of agencies, sectors, localities, the Diplomatic Corps, and people of Vietnam and Singapore.
At the ceremony, on behalf of the leaders of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan sent congratulations to the Government and people of Singapore on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the Vietnam - Singapore Strategic Partnership.
The Vice President pointed out that 50 years ago, Vietnam and Singapore officially established diplomatic relations, but the exchange between the two nations began quite early, from the beginning of the 19th century through the connection of merchants. Notably, in his arduous journey to find a way to save the country, President Ho Chi Minh visited Singapore twice in the early 1930s. Today, his statue is solemnly placed in the Asian Civilization Park, demonstrating the respect and admiration of the Singaporean Government and people for the great leader of the Vietnamese nation, and is a testament to the solidarity and friendship between the two nations and countries.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan speaks at the ceremony. Photo: An Dang/VNA
Meanwhile, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew - the first Prime Minister and Founding Father of modern Singapore, is also a great friend of the Vietnamese people, and has made many important contributions to the development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The Vice President emphasized that over the past half century, through many historical ups and downs, especially after upgrading the relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013, the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore has developed strongly, dynamically and substantially.
Many visits and contacts at high and all levels, through various channels, taking place regularly, even in difficult pandemic conditions like the recent past, have created a premise and favorable environment to promote extensive cooperation between the two countries in many fields.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation is a model of bilateral economic cooperation in Southeast Asia. Singapore is currently the leader in ASEAN and the second largest investor in Vietnam in the world. Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) stretching from North to South have become a symbol of the success of economic cooperation between the two countries. Recently, the establishment of the Vietnam - Singapore Digital Economy - Green Economy Partnership in February 2023 is an important milestone, opening up new opportunities to promote sustainable development cooperation between the two countries, especially cooperation between the business community in the next phase.
Educational cooperation and people-to-people exchange have been constantly developing, creating a solid bridge for the Strategic Partnership. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese scholars, students, and workers have been living, studying, and working in Singapore. The Singapore Cooperation Program (SCP) has been implemented very effectively, contributing to human resource development and supporting the training of more than 21,000 Vietnamese officials, including many high-ranking officials. The successful lessons in Singapore's development are of great significance, helping Vietnam in building and constructing the country after the war and in modern governance.
The Vice President affirmed that Vietnam always remembers and is grateful for the practical assistance of international friends during difficult times. When COVID-19 broke out, Singapore was one of the first countries in ASEAN to support medical equipment and supplies to help Vietnam effectively prevent, combat and control the epidemic, contributing to socio-economic recovery and development.
“The Vietnam-Singapore relationship is a successful model both bilaterally and multilaterally, regionally and internationally. Sincere and trustworthy political relations have created the premise to promote extensive, substantive and effective cooperation in many fields,” the Vice President emphasized.
The Vice President believes that, on the solid foundation built over the past 50 years, with the high determination of the leaders, people and business communities of the two countries, the Vietnam - Singapore Strategic Partnership will continue to develop even better in the coming time, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, contributing to building a united, self-reliant and strong ASEAN community; for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan takes a photo with delegates. Photo: An Dang/VNA
At the event, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Jaya Ratnam, emphasized that the highlight of the Vietnam - Singapore relationship is the strong trust and mutual respect, which is nurtured through regular exchanges at all levels. The Ambassador believes that, with the solid foundation that the leaders and people of the two countries have built together, the relationship between the two countries will continue to develop better in the future.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, said that people-to-people exchanges have contributed significantly to the achievements of Vietnam-Singapore relations. Over the years, many diverse and rich activities have taken place such as: cultural, artistic, sports exchanges, festivals, seminars, talks connecting partners in economics, trade, investment, charity and humanitarian activities, contributing positively to enhancing mutual understanding, connecting people and promoting cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga affirmed that the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association have been and will continue to strive to play a good role as a bridge, closely coordinating with partners and Singaporean people's organizations to effectively implement signed agreements, enhance people-to-people exchanges, contribute to consolidating and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the people of the two countries, promoting the Vietnam - Singapore Strategic Partnership to go deeper and deeper, meeting the interests and aspirations of the people of the two countries.
At the event, delegates enjoyed artistic performances and visited an exhibition of images about the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Singapore over the past 50 years.
According to VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper
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