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SINGAPORE – President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat have sent their congratulations to the newly elected leaders in the United States.
President Halimah congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their “victory in a very close election.”
He called Biden, who will be the 46th president of the United States, a “good friend of Singapore” and highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations in the areas of “defense and security, economic and people-to-people ties.”
President Halimah’s Facebook post also congratulated Ms. Harris, noting that she was “encouraged” to have become “the first female vice president of the United States, black and South Asian.”
“This is the historic moment for female minorities in the United States and around the world. Vice President-elect Harris has shown that one should never be limited by glass ceilings.”
President Halimah called Ms. Harris an inspiration to many young women around the world, saying, “Throughout her long and distinguished career in public office, she was not afraid to break down barriers, achieving many ‘firsts’ in the way.
“This latest appointment marks a high point for her. However, she is humble and often attributes her success to the hard work of those who came before her.”
In separate notes to Biden and Harris, Prime Minister Lee also affirmed the shared interests and the “enduring, multifaceted and strong partnership” that the United States had with Singapore.
“(Many) countries also look forward to the global leadership of the United States under your Administration as we work together to overcome the significant challenges facing the world, especially the immediate crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he wrote to Mr. Biden. .
“Significant progress was made in our relationship during his tenure as vice president, including the United States entering the East Asia Summit and the appointment of its first ambassador to Asean.”
Prime Minister Lee also noted that Biden, who was a vice president under Barack Obama and a former senator, would already be familiar with the relationship the two nations shared.
Prime Minister Lee also highlighted the strong economic ties the two countries had, with the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Singapore, as well as Singapore’s status as the United States’ largest trading partner for Southeast Asia and its third largest. Asian investor last year (2019).
He also highlighted the close security partnership with Singapore as the only major security cooperation partner of the US and the recently renewed 1990 memorandum of understanding allowing the use of Singapore’s military facilities by USA
“(This) underscores our support for the United States presence, which remains vital to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia-Pacific,” said Prime Minister Lee.
He recalled Biden’s visit to Singapore in 2013 and a 2016 lunch in Washington, DC, where the two leaders met, adding that he looks forward to working with Biden to deepen their partnership. “You can continue to count on Singapore as a friend and partner,” he added.
In a separate letter to Ms Harris, Prime Minister Lee spoke of the “strong and enduring friendship that has deepened over the decade” between Singapore and the United States.
He said: “I look 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.”
Vice Premier Heng Swee Keat also congratulated the vice president-elect on the victory that “comes at a critical time” and added that he was confident that the United States will exercise its global leadership role in seeking “collective solutions to the pandemic.”
He told Ms. Harris, “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 to Asia-Pacific.”
For live results and updates, follow our live coverage of the US elections.
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