Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan have written to Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh respectively, to convey their condolences on the passing of former Vietnam Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
The text of the letters are appended.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
20 MARCH 2018
Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc
19 March 2018
Dear Prime Minister Phuc,
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the passing of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
Mr Khai was instrumental in accelerating economic reforms in Vietnam when he was Prime Minister. He played a key role in Vietnam’s drive towards global economic integration, including leading Vietnam’s efforts to join the WTO, and his efforts laid a solid foundation for Vietnam’s remarkable economic development over the past decade.
Mr Khai contributed greatly to the close relations between Singapore and Vietnam. The Connectivity Framework Agreement, which underpins the multi-faceted cooperation between our countries, was first mooted during his official visit to Singapore in March 2004. I recall the warm hospitality that Mr Khai accorded to me when I made my introductory visit to Vietnam as Prime Minister in December 2004.
Please accept my sincere and deepest condolences. Mr Khai will be greatly missed.
With my deepest sympathies,
LEE HSIEN LOONG
His Excellency Nguyen Xuan Phuc
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh
17 March 2018
HE Pham Binh Minh
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Your Excellency
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mr Phan Van Khai, former Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Mr Khai oversaw one of Vietnam’s fastest and most stable economic growth periods during his nine years as Prime Minister. He was dedicated to the reform of his country, and had helped further closer relations between Singapore and Vietnam. His contributions to Vietnam’s development and the partnership between our countries will be remembered long after his passing.
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Mr Khai was a good friend of Singapore, and will be greatly missed.
Yours sincerely,
DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN