Vietnam-Singapore implement the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh gives an interview to a VNA reporter. (Photo: Tat Dat/VNA)

At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 25-26.

On this occasion, VNA reporters in Singapore interviewed Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh about the significance of the visit as well as the steps that Vietnam and Singapore are promoting to realize the potential for cooperation within the comprehensive strategic partnership that the two sides have just upgraded during General Secretary To Lam's visit to Singapore.

Here is the content of the interview:

- Dear Ambassador, how do you evaluate the significance of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's visit to Vietnam?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take office in May 2024 and according to tradition, when new ASEAN leaders take office, they will visit to greet and introduce themselves to leaders of other ASEAN countries.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's visit to Vietnam this time is also in that sense. However, I think the timing of the visit also has other meanings.

Firstly, it demonstrates Singapore’s interest and respect for cooperation with Vietnam. In the context of the current rapid and profound changes in the world and regional situation, strengthening the relationship between leaders of countries, specifically the leaders of Singapore and Vietnam, has a very important meaning and role.

Second, the visit is also a highlight because 2025 is a very special year in the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore. In addition to the two countries recently announcing the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, this year Singapore celebrates its 60th Independence Day and Vietnam celebrates its 80th National Day.

Besides, there are many other important events in the development of the two countries.

Another idea is that the visit took place just over a week after General Secretary To Lam's visit to Singapore. I think this is also a step to implement the perceptions and agreements that the two countries' senior leaders reached during General Secretary To Lam's visit.

General Secretary To Lam and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at a meeting and speaking to the press. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

- According to the Ambassador, what does Singapore expect from substantive and effective cooperation with Vietnam?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: I think Vietnam and Singapore have had 52 years of diplomatic relations and understand each other very well. The relationship between investors and people of the two countries is also very deep, so we are not strangers.

However, for the development of the two countries in particular and the region in general, Singapore's expectations for Vietnam as well as Vietnam's expectations for Singapore are quite clear, helping to bring practical benefits to both countries and the region.

So what does Singapore expect from Vietnam? I think there are many areas that Singapore wants to promote in Vietnam.

For example, food security and energy security. Given Singapore's small size and limited natural resources, while Vietnam has a large market and abundant natural resources, Vietnam can provide many guarantees of food and energy security for Singapore.

Therefore, projects like offshore wind energy or food, I think Singapore really wants to have close cooperation with Vietnam.

There are also projects such as the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP), or data center projects. Financial centers are also a field that Vietnam is very eager to develop, and Singapore has a lot of experience in this field.

Therefore, I think Singapore is also very willing to cooperate with Vietnam, bringing benefits to the bilateral relationship.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and delegates perform the groundbreaking ceremony of VSIP II Quang Ngai Industrial Park Project. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

Another aspect that I think Vietnam can also expect from Singapore is support in training, training of cadres, not only leaders at the strategic level but also working experts, civil servants, students...

Singapore is a world-class training hub and the distance between Singapore and Vietnam is not far, so it will benefit both sides, meeting Singapore's expectations and Vietnam's needs.

I think another expectation comes from both sides, which is within the framework of ASEAN cooperation. Both countries are active and dynamic members and consider ASEAN as a common home to protect a peaceful and stable environment. This is a very important foundation for the two countries to continue to develop.

Singapore needs to cooperate with other countries, first of all those in the ASEAN region, for development. As for Vietnam, Singapore is also a large market to reach out to, to meet national interests, which are a peaceful and stable environment, opportunities and space for development, and open space to enhance Vietnam's position, prestige and influence in the region and on the international stage.

- According to the Ambassador, what should Vietnam and Singapore do to continue promoting bilateral relations to develop commensurate with their existing potential?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: I think the first thing is coordination in terms of policies and guidelines, as very active and responsible members of the world community and the ASEAN region.

There are many regional and world issues that require the joint efforts of Vietnam and Singapore as well as other ASEAN members.

Leaders of the two countries regularly meet and exchange views at regional and multilateral forums. In my opinion, exchanges to understand policies and strategies and to have a common voice on regional and world issues are very important.

The second is close coordination and cooperation in implementing the contents and cooperation projects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Although there are many new areas that the two countries are focusing on, and because they are new, sometimes the legal basis or conditions, or mutual understanding are not as desired, so I think close coordination and exchange plays a very important role.

Third, the concentration of resources for implementing the contents, that is, the general awareness sees the importance, but the concentration of resources is very important for specific implementation and bringing benefits./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-singapore-trien-khai-noi-ham-moi-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-post1022165.vnp