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SINGAPORE: Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Joe Biden and Ms. Kamala Harris on Sunday (November 8) after they won the US presidential election, the Foreign Ministry said.
Biden was declared the winner by all the major television networks on Sunday morning Singapore time after garnering more than 270 electoral votes.
In his letter to Mr. Biden, Mr. Lee said: “Americans have placed their trust in your vision and leadership.
Likewise, many countries also look to the global leadership of the United States under his administration as we work together to overcome the significant challenges facing the world, especially the immediate crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With his long history and deep experience as a former vice president and senator of the United States, he is undoubtedly already familiar with the strong, multifaceted and enduring association of the United States with Singapore.”
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Noting that Singapore is America’s largest trading partner for Southeast Asia, he said the countries’ strong economic ties are underpinned by the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Singapore is also the US’s third-largest Asian investor in 2019, and the US’s only major security cooperation partner, Lee said.
“Our 1990 Memorandum of Understanding has endorsed the United States’ use of Singapore military facilities and underscores our support for the United States presence, which continues to be vital to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia-Pacific. “.
Beyond the economic and defense spheres, the two countries cooperate in many other new areas, including infrastructure development and cybersecurity, the Prime Minister said.
He added that the United States has “many other friends and allies in the region” who welcome the United States’ strong commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
“Significant progress was made in our relationship during his tenure as vice president, including the entry of the United States to the East Asia Summit and the appointment of its first ambassador to ASEAN,” Lee said.
In his letter, he recalled Biden’s visit to Singapore in 2013, when he “saw first-hand the full breadth of our relationship,” and how the two leaders had lunch together during Lee’s visit to Washington DC in August 2016.
“I look forward to working with you to deepen the partnership between our two countries and enhance America’s presence in Asia Pacific. You can continue to count on Singapore as a friend and partner. I wish you every success and look forward to meeting you again.” said the Prime Minister.
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In his congratulatory letter to Ms. Harris, Mr. Lee similarly noted how Americans placed their trust in her and Mr. Biden to guide the US through “these challenging times.”
Singapore and the United States share a “strong and lasting friendship” that has deepened over decades, Lee said.
READ: Kamala Harris becomes the first black woman elected as US Vice President.
Defense and security ties are underpinned by the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement, and economic relations by the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, the United States’ first bilateral free trade agreement with an Asian country.
“I am looking forward to working with you and President-elect Biden to strengthen and expand our bilateral cooperation, and to welcome you to Singapore for a first official visit at a time of your convenience,” Lee said.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat also congratulated Ms. Harris, describing her victory as “hard-won” and reaching “a critical juncture”.
“I am confident that under your leadership, the United States will emerge stronger from COVID-19, exercising its global leadership role in seeking collective solutions to the pandemic,” Heng said.
Noting how the United States and Singapore work closely, including on transnational security issues and on the economic front, he added, “I look forward to meeting with you in the near future to discuss how both sides can enhance bilateral cooperation and strengthen America’s commitment. “. Asia Pacific “.
