Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on May 16 talked on the phone with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Singaporean FM K. Shanmugam and Russian FM Sergei Lavrov.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on May 16 talked on the phone with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Singaporean FM K. Shanmugam and Russian FM Sergei Lavrov.

During the talks, Minh discussed measures to boost bilateral ties with the three countries, respectively.

He informed the Foreign Ministers about the latest developments related to China’s rig Haiyang Shiyou 981, particularly China’s deployment of a large number of vessels, including warships and missile-mounted escort ships, to Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

The official emphasised that Vietnam strongly requests China to withdraw its rig and ships out of Vietnam’s waters.

He took the occasion to inform the partners of Vietnam’s diplomatic efforts to ease the tension.

The Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Singapore and Russia said Vietnam and China should restrain themselves and deal with disputes by peaceful means.

Mentioning the recent demonstrations in some localities in Vietnam with Singaporean FM K. Shanmugam, Minh affirmed that the situation has eased.

He explained that the rallies and demonstrations in many industrial parks, including the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park No.1 and 2 in the southern province of Binh Duong, were spontaneous actions of local workers to express their patriotic feelings and protest against China’s illegal act.

However, a number of extremists had taken advantage of the occasion to incite the people to achieve their own purpose, he said.

Minh reiterated that Vietnam has taken necessary measures to stabilise the situation and punish those who caused public disorder and damaged other people’s properties.

Vietnam attaches special importance to ensuring security, safety and property for foreign investors, including those from Singapore, he said, expressing his hope that Singaporean investors will continue to operate in Binh Duong.

The Singaporean FM appreciated the timely measures taken by the Vietnamese Government, particularly the Prime Minister’s instruction on ensuring security and order to make Singaporean investors feel secure to stay in Vietnam.

VNA/VNN