Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

(VOV) - It’s time to lift Singapore-Vietnam ties to a strategic partnership status, adding fresh impetus to stronger future cooperation, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said.

Lee made the statement in an interview granted to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent prior to his Vietnam visit later this week. He said the new strategic partnership will testify to the two countries’ wonderful friendship and commitment to expand bilateral cooperation in new areas, such as finance, aviation, and the environment.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung are expected to declare the establishment of the strategic partnership during Lee’s four-day visit, starting on September 11.  

He said he expect more bilateral exchanges at all levels will take place to deepen the cooperative relationship between Singapore and Vietnam on the basis of mutual respect, trust and beneficial cooperation.