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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (October 27) called his New Zealand counterpart, Ms. Jacinda Ardern, to offer her congratulations, ten days after their historic election victory.
Mr. Lee had previously written a congratulatory letter to Ms. Ardern.
The Foreign Ministry (MFA) said in a statement that the two leaders “reaffirmed the close partnership between Singapore and New Zealand.”
Lee and Ardern also spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and looked toward resuming international travel.
“They discussed how both countries have cooperated amid the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain supply chain connectivity and agreed to continue working together to maintain trade flows,” MFA said.
“Prime ministers also exchanged views on COVID-19 recovery efforts, including the safe and gradual reopening of borders.”
New Zealand is one of the four countries to which Singapore has unilaterally opened its borders with the Air Travel Pass program.
Unlike the fast lane or green arrangements, the scheme allows all forms of short-term travel, even for pleasure.
Visitors must apply for an Air Travel Pass and have been in the country of departure for 14 consecutive days before arriving in Singapore.
