SINGAPORE (VNS)— The relationship between Viet Nam and Singapore has enjoyed a steady boost according to Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam.
“The Viet Nam-Singapore relationship is excellent at both levels of leadership and people-to-people,” Shanmugam said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
The statement comes as the two countries celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties which began on August 1, 1973. Since then, Viet Nam and Singapore have forged a close relationship, boosted by regular visits and exchanges between high ranking leaders, he said.
The relationship between Singaporean and Vietnamese people is also very strong, he added.
According to the Minister, Singapore is the second largest investor in Viet Nam, investing up to US$30 billion.
“Our Connectivity Framework Agreement has allowed the economic relationship between the two countries to increase very substantially,” he said.
At present, Singapore has four industrial parks in Viet Nam and a fifth will be built later this year, he said, adding that nearly 140,000 Vietnamese were employed by the 450 companies operating in the parks.
In the public sector, the Singapore Cooperation Programme has provided training to nearly 14,000 Vietnamese employees, he stated.
“At the people-to-people level and at the Government level, we have a very strong relationship within ASEAN,” Shanmugam affirmed.
The minister said he was confident that the healthy relationship between the two countries was a good foundation for a strong Strategic Partnership.
“This Strategic Partnership allows our two countries to come closer together and cooperate on trade and economic activity, on a front of greater connectivity and greater interactions,” he noted.
Minister Shanmugam also stated that the key to building the ASEAN community by 2015 was to focus on economics, politics and socio-culture.
“More physical connectivity, more people-to-people connectivity will allow us both to understand each other’s culture, benefit from it, but also compete internationally in economic terms,” he concluded.
A ceremony was held yesterday to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations (August 1, 1973 – August 1, 2013) and celebrate Singapore’s 48th national day (August 9, 1965 -August 9, 1913). The ceremony was held in HCM City. — VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News