Brian Jeffrey
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and his wife are currently visiting Singapore. On December 2nd, he engaged in discussions with Singapore’s Speaker Seah Kian Peng regarding their bilateral ties and future collaborative opportunities.
Seah Kian Peng emphasized the robust and evolving relationship between Vietnam and Singapore, which has been sustained through over five decades of diplomatic engagement and a decade of strategic partnership.
This relationship is characterized by a shared strategic outlook, strong leadership ties, significant trade and investment connections, and vibrant people-to-people interactions.
In his remarks, Tran Thanh Man congratulated Singapore on its impressive growth and expressed his belief in the nation’s ongoing progress as a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient society. He reinforced Vietnam’s perspective of Singapore as a crucial strategic partner in the area.
During their open and constructive dialogue, both leaders shared insights on pathways and actions to enhance cooperation and strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Man expressed his appreciation for Singapore’s past assistance in training Vietnamese officials and sought continued support in developing strategic leadership capabilities, especially for those aspiring to join Vietnam’s 14th Party Central Committee.
They concurred that political and diplomatic collaboration is fundamental to their relationship, guiding broader cooperative efforts across sectors. Economic and trade partnerships were highlighted as essential components, aiming to establish a supportive legal framework and monitor the execution of existing agreements closely. The leaders noted the potential for expanding collaborations in emerging sectors such as the green and digital economies, clean energy, cybersecurity, and innovation.
They also pointed out infrastructure development, transport connectivity, tourism, and cultural exchanges as key areas for enhanced cooperation.
On matters of security and defense, they acknowledged the necessity of dialogue and cooperation across maritime, land, and air forces. They stressed the advancement of cybersecurity measures, collaborative search and rescue efforts, military medical cooperation, maritime collaboration, and environmental protection through advanced technologies.
The leaders reiterated their dedication to fostering cooperation between their parliaments, ensuring the effective realization of their bilateral agreement. They called for enhanced sharing of information and experiences regarding institutional reforms, policy development, and legal system advancements to support economic stability and bolster international integration.
Furthermore, they advocated for deeper cooperation among parliamentary committees, organizations, and members, particularly encouraging the involvement of young and female legislators. Chairman Tran Thanh Man urged Singapore’s Parliament to implement favorable policies for Vietnamese businesses, investors, and community members residing in Singapore.
Addressing regional and global matters, the two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration and mutual support within multilateral frameworks, including international and regional parliamentary forums.
They shared a common perspective on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the need for maritime and aviation security in the East Sea, and for resolving conflicts peacefully in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
