On the morning of March 12, at the Singapore Parliament House, Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Singapore People's Action Party (PAP) Lawrence Wong hosted a ceremony to welcome General Secretary To Lam.

After the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had a small meeting and talks.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong affirmed that General Secretary To Lam's visit is an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

General Secretary To Lam expressed his joy at visiting Singapore again in his new position as the two countries celebrate many important events, including the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 60th anniversary of Singapore's National Day.

The visit significantly contributes to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding, opening up great cooperation opportunities, deepening and raising cooperation between the two countries to new heights...

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to promote the friendly relationship and multifaceted cooperation with Singapore.

The General Secretary shared Vietnam's achievements in the innovation process, efforts to promote economic restructuring associated with growth model innovation, digital transformation and sustainable development; administrative apparatus reform, streamlining, reducing focal points and administrative procedure reform towards a state system that operates effectively, efficiently and effectively.

The two leaders reviewed outstanding achievements in cooperation between the two countries, especially in economics, trade and investment, with bilateral trade turnover reaching over 9 billion USD by 2024.

Singapore is currently the second largest investment partner in Vietnam with a total accumulated investment capital of over 80 billion USD, of which the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) are considered a symbol of successful cooperation.

The two sides also acknowledged positive progress in cooperation in defense - security, education - training, science - technology, tourism, labor and people-to-people exchange.

Building on the great achievements over more than five decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

This is a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries, opening a new chapter with a longer-term and more comprehensive vision.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared that this is the first Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that Singapore has established with an ASEAN country.

The two sides set out major directions and assigned relevant agencies, ministries and sectors to develop an action program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and develop the relationship substantially and effectively.

In particular, focusing on enhancing political trust through delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level; expanding and deepening economic, trade and investment cooperation; promoting cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, green economy, clean energy; enhancing cooperation in defense - security, culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

The General Secretary suggested that Singapore expand the VSIP 2.0 network towards innovation, low carbon emissions, and enhance cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and emerging technologies.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in developing seaports and maritime infrastructure through digital transformation. Singapore will continue to support Vietnam in improving the quality of human resources, especially strategic-level officials, and effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the Vietnam-Singapore Innovation Talent Exchange Programme.

He also hopes to send Singaporean students to Vietnam to study and research, promote cultural and sports exchanges, and young generation exchanges to enhance understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.

The two countries agreed to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and pay due attention to the sustainable development of sub-regions in the region, including the Mekong Sub-region, thereby actively contributing to ASEAN's self-reliance, prosperity and sustainable development, and promoting its central role in the region.

The two leaders also affirmed their determination to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation and development, and together with ASEAN countries to promote negotiations on a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking to the press after the talks, General Secretary To Lam said that the new framework will contribute to further strengthening political trust, opening up a broader and deeper space for cooperation, making the Vietnam-Singapore cooperative relationship a model in international relations in the new era...

The General Secretary emphasized that since Vietnam joined ASEAN, Singapore has always been an important economic partner, accompanying Vietnam throughout its reform, opening up and development journey. Vietnam is proud to have a friend, a comprehensive strategic partner like Singapore.