Vietnam's DPM Ninh calls on PM Lee

SINGAPORE - Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, who is in Singapore on a programme to exchange ideas, called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday.

Both leaders noted the excellent state of relations between their countries, following the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in September.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement yesterday said they also had a good exchange on Vietnam's economic developments and priorities, and agreed to cooperate closely and work towards a swift and effective conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

DPM Ninh is in Singapore for four days under the SR Nathan Fellowship, a high-level programme that invites foreign leaders and prominent personalities to exchange ideas with Singapore leaders and senior government officials on common current and long-term challenges.

On Friday, Mr Ninh was hosted to lunch by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

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