Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (L) and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong (Source: malaymail.com) Hanoi (VNA) - Malaysian Prime Minister MahathirMohamad has underscored the need for good economic linkages and mutual respectin the Malaysia – Singapore relations, especially in the framework of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The leader is on a two-day visit to Singapore from November 12 as part of his journeyto Southeast Asian nations after he acceded to the office in May.
The visit offers a chance for both sides to discuss a series of bilateral andinternational issues of common concern, as well as measures to furtherstrengthen cooperation between the two countries for mutual benefits.
Speaking at a banquet hosted by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mahathirsaid there will be some differences and competition between the two nations, buthis country and Singapore have become interdependent as key trade partners andthey will continue their cooperation in the time to come.
The healthy competition always helps the two countries tomake jointly effort to promote their economic growth, he added.
He stressed that the two neighbours both have their own role to play in ASEAN,and through cooperation they can help the regional group operate effectively.
The Malaysia-Singaporeties became somewhat thorny after Mahathir returned to power in the May generalelection this year. Leaders of both governments sparred publicly through themedia over issues, old and new, ranging from the water price, construction andtransport projects.
However, the bilateral relationship is warmer than the first Mahathiradministration and when the late Lee Kuan Yew was Prime Minister of Singapore.
Malaysiaand Singapore have extensive cooperation in many fields, especially trade andinvestment. Singapore is Malaysia's second largest trade partner after China.Trade between the two countries reached 220.88 billion ringgit (53.18 billion USD)in 2017, equivalent to 12.9 percent of Malaysia's total global trade.
During his visit, Malaysian PM Mahathir paid a courtesy visit to Singaporean PresidentHalimah Yacob before the talks with Lee.
Mahathir also attended the ASEAN 2018 Summit hosted by Singapore. BeforeSingapore, Mahathir visited Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.-VNA
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