Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean was in Hanoi from 11 to 12 September on an Official Visit. DPM Teo was accompanied by Government Parliamentary Committee (Finance and Trade and Industry) Chairman Liang Eng Hwa and Deputy Chairman Cedric Foo, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DPM and the delegation called on and was hosted to lunch by Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang. President Quang expressed his appreciation to the Singapore Government for hosting his successful State Visit to Singapore in August. DPM and President Quang reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Vietnam, and reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, finance, aviation, training and defence and security. President Quang indicated that he would give top priority to the advancement of the Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. DPM also met President of the National Assembly Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, during which they welcomed more parliamentary exchanges between Singapore and Vietnam.
DPM also had separate meetings with Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Minister of Public Security To Lam, and was hosted to dinner by DPM Binh. During the meetings, the leaders discussed the potential for Singapore and Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in tackling trans-boundary challenges in areas such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and combatting drug trafficking. They also exchanged views on regional developments, including cooperation in ASEAN, APEC and on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
DPM will depart Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City on 13 September to meet provincial and party leaders, and attend the 20th Anniversary of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park in Binh Duong province.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
13 SEPTEMBER 2016