Singaporean PM’s visit to Australia to be replaced with video conference
A scheduled visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Australia will be replaced by a video conference in view of Australia's COVID-19 restrictions, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on March 16.
Composite image of Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong (R) and Australia PM Scott Morrison (Photo: AFP)Singapore (VNA) – A scheduled visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Australia will be replaced by a video conference in view of Australia's COVID-19 restrictions, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on March 16.
The Singaporean leader was scheduled to pay an official visit to Australia on March 23 but discussions will now take place remotely, as Australia announced on March 15 that anyone arriving into the country will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.
The MFA said in a statement that Australian PM Scott Morrison telephoned his Singaporean counterpart Lee over the weekend to discuss the visit in view of Australia’s travel restrictions on in-bound visitors.
The two sides agreed that discussions will be done via video conference instead, and to proceed with the planned signings of important bilateral agreements.
The statement stressed that this demonstrates the conviction of both sides that it is important to continue with the business of government, and maintain the good momentum of the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, even as they are dealing with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. /.
You should also see
InfographicCommemoration of Hung Kings - Gathering the spirit of patriotism
The Commemoration of the Hung Kings and the Hung Kings Temple Festival are among the most important festivals of the year for Vietnamese people. The worship of the Hung Kings is not only part of the cultural identity of the Vietnamese community but has also transcended national boundaries to become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
See more
World
Bangkok markets join food waste reduction drive
Nearly 200 fresh markets in Bangkok have joined a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) campaign to classify food scraps from other waste, which helps reduce carbon emissions by about 142.5 tonnes per day.
World
ASEAN-Korea Centre appoints new secretary-general
The ASEAN-Korea Centre has appointed former Ambassador of the Republic of Korean (RoK) to the Philippines Kim Jae-shin as its new Secretary-General, it announed on April 16.
World
No major changes to Singapore's new cabinet: Deputy PM Wong
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who will become the country's fourth prime minister, said on April 16 that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will take on the role of senior minister in the new cabinet, which is not likely to have major changes.
World
Philippines seizes 1.8 tonnes of meth in record drug bust
The Philippines police have seized 1.8 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, President Ferdinand Marcos said on April 16, describing the bust as a record drug seizure in the Southeast Asian country.
World
Deputy PM’s visit to Venezuela helps promote economic cooperation: Latin American scholar
The visit to Venezuela by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang offers an opportunity to create breakthroughs for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, said Ruvislei González Sáez, one of the leading research experts on Vietnam in Latin America.
