Singaporean Ambassador: Vietnam commits to regional integration in both words and actions

General Secretary To Lam received Singaporean Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Singapore People's Action Party (PAP) Lawrence Wong on the occasion of his official visit to Vietnam on March 26. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Joining ASEAN is an important milestone in Vietnam's journey of regional and international integration. How does the Ambassador assess Vietnam's contributions to ASEAN's development over the past 30 years?

On this occasion, we not only mark another year of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN, but also celebrate more than three decades of growth, friendship and peace . Vietnam's accession to ASEAN has fundamentally changed not only Vietnam, but also contributed to unifying the entire Southeast Asian region.

Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam. (Photo: Anh Duc)

Over the past 30 years, we have witnessed not only the growth of ASEAN as an organisation, but also the dramatic transformation of a nation - Vietnam, and the blossoming of relations between Singapore and Vietnam - a relationship that has grown from strength to strength.

Vietnam has played an important role in ensuring ASEAN’s centrality. ASEAN has always been a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, and Vietnam has proactively promoted ASEAN to take a leading role in addressing pressing regional and global issues.

Vietnam has always demonstrated its commitment to regional integration not only in words but also in concrete actions. I can cite three recent examples:

First, Vietnam’s leading role was particularly evident during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, when Vietnam established important mechanisms to help the region respond together to the Covid-19 crisis.

Second, like the pandemic, climate change is a challenge that can only be addressed through collective efforts. Vietnam and Singapore have both reaffirmed their strong commitment to effective climate action. The two countries are working closely together to develop the ASEAN Power Grid.

Third, Vietnam has consistently defended the international order based on international law and rules, especially in the context of serious challenges to the global order. Singapore and Vietnam are both members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and are the only two ASEAN countries to have a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the VSIP Thai Binh Industrial Park Project on March 26. (Source: VNA)

The year 2025 marks an important transition period for ASEAN with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. How does the Ambassador assess Vietnam's role and position in this important period of the Association?

ASEAN is not just a regional organization but a community in constant evolution. Like Vietnam, we do not take for granted the achievements that ASEAN has made. In particular, the next decade will be a pivotal period.

As we celebrate 30 years of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN, it is also a time to look back – and more importantly, to chart the way forward in a rapidly changing world.

All of us in ASEAN are facing an unpredictable and uncertain external environment. But we have overcome adversity before. As long as we are united, we can face the future with confidence.

When Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995, for the first time in the region’s long history, all of Southeast Asia came together under one roof. Our leaders understood that we are stronger only when we face challenges together.

As Singapore's first Foreign Minister, Mr. S. Rajaratnam once said: "If ASEAN is not united, each country will fail alone." Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also emphasized that each ASEAN country may be small, but when we join forces, we have considerable weight.

ASEAN has made great strides in economic integration. It is forecast that by 2030, ASEAN will become the fourth largest economy in the world. How can this be achieved? The key lies in deepening integration among ASEAN economies. The history of ASEAN over the past 30 years has been a story of integration, investment and the removal of trade barriers.

Singapore and Vietnam share that ASEAN aspiration. The two countries are working to build a more seamless, competitive ASEAN market – attractive to businesses and investors in a more fragmented global economy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan within the framework of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat on January 19 in Malaysia. (Photo: Quang Hoa) .

According to the Ambassador, how can the newly established Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership contribute to the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045?

We believe that the relationship between Singapore and Vietnam will continue to grow stronger. In just a few weeks, Singapore will celebrate its 60th National Day (SG60), while Vietnam is preparing to celebrate its 80th National Day. For both countries, the need for cooperation has never been greater.

The relationship between the two countries was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) earlier this year. This is Singapore’s first CSP with an ASEAN country and one of only three CSPs that Singapore has with countries around the world – demonstrating the special importance that Singapore places on its relationship with Vietnam.

Under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam is entering a “new era of development”, focusing on sustainable development, green growth and digital transformation. Our CSP sets out strategic cooperation orientations based on complementarity and mutual support between the two countries in areas such as defense and security, combating transnational crime, as well as expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as renewable energy, carbon credits, submarine fiber optic cable connections, food security, digital economy and many others.

All of these are not only in line with Singapore’s priorities, but also reflect ASEAN’s shared aspirations. From an ASEAN perspective, the Singapore-Vietnam CSP cooperation models can provide useful lessons for cross-border cooperation in the region.

Currently, we are implementing many pilot projects on carbon credits, renewable energy and digital economy – projects that can serve as pioneers for future ASEAN cooperation initiatives.

Thank you very much Ambassador!