A corner of Singapore (Source: Asia Resorts)Singapore (VNA) – Singapore and Indonesia are set to begin discussions on a"fast lane" to allow essential travel to gradually resume, saidSingapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 25.
It was agreedby Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Indonesiancounterpart Retno Marsudi during the latter’s visit to Singapore from August 24– 26. Marsudi has also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Singapore hasestablished “fast lane” with Malaysia and China and is discussing the setup ofsimilar lanes with several others, including Japan. Indonesia has alsoestablished “fast lane” for essential travel for business purposes with China,the Republic of Korea and the UAE.
Both ministersdiscussed how the two countries can continue to work together to overcomecommon challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, said theSingapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
They agreedthat both countries should work closely together to strengthen public healthcooperation, enhance economic growth and investments, deepen financialcooperation and facilitate safe travel, it said.
In a Facebookpost on August 25, PM Lee said he spoke to Indonesian President Joko Widodoseveral times in the past few months, and continued the discussion withIndonesian FM Marsudi on "jointly overcoming the pandemic".
He also notedthat Singapore is on track to remain the top investor in Indonesia this year,which has been the case since 2014./.
VNA
