Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan (second left) hosting Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son (second right) to lunch at Maxwell Food Centre on July 18, 2023. With them is Singapore ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam (left) and Vietnam ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung. - PHOTO: MFA via The Straits Times/ANN
SINGAPORE/HANOI (The Straits Times/ANN): Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday reaffirmed the deep and multi-faceted relations between their two countries.
Dr Balakrishnan hosted Son, who was on an official visit to Singapore since Monday, to lunch at Maxwell Food Centre.
Both foreign ministers said the two countries’ relations were underpinned by strong people-to-people ties, growing trade and investments, and close political ties between their two leaders, according to a statement by Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Over a spread including apom sold by a Vietnamese hawker and chicken rice, they also discussed international and regional developments, including the South China Sea and Asean.
Son and Dr Balakrishnan agreed to further step up substantive economic links between Singapore and Vietnam, while strengthening cooperation in emerging areas such as renewable energy, carbon credits and the digital economy.
Later in the afternoon, Mr Son called on Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean.
The two men reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Vietnam, and discussed regional and international developments.
Son and Dr Balakrishnan were also the joint guests of honour at a dinner reception organised by the Vietnam Embassy in Singapore on Monday to commemorate both the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership.
In a speech at the dinner, Dr Balakrishnan said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is looking forward to visiting Vietnam soon, reciprocating Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Singapore in February.
Foreign Minister Son left Singapore on Tuesday. - The Straits Times/ANN
