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Singapore, US discuss importance of free, open Indo-Pacific

Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and his US counterpart Mark Esper discussed various regional security issues, including the East Sea, counterterrorism, and the importance of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, during their virtual meeting on August 31.
Singapore, US discuss importance of free, open Indo-Pacific ảnh 1Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen talks with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (on screen) during a bilateral video conference on August 31. (Photo: Singapore's Ministry of Defence)

Hanoi (VNA) – Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng Eng Henand his US counterpart Mark Esper discussed variousregional security issues, including the East Sea, counterterrorism, and theimportance of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, during their virtualmeeting on August 31.

A mediarelease by The Pentagon revealed that the two sidesreaffirmed their commitments to the “excellent and long-standing bilateraldefense relationship and mutually-beneficial partnership.''

Meanwhile, theSingaporean Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the two defence chiefsalso discussed a wide range of regional and geopolitical developments,including the need for regional defence establishments to work closely toaddress common threats such as COVID-19 and terrorism.

It said bothcountries enjoy extensive defence interactions, including dialogues,military-to-military exchanges, training and cross-attendance of courses, anddefence technology cooperation. Both sides also addressed the importance of maintainingthe momentum of bilateral cooperation initiatives amid the pandemic.

Esperexpressed appreciation for the regional access that Singapore provides USforces which has been extended for another 15 years.

LastSeptember, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US President DonaldTrump renewed the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding US Use ofFacilities in Singapore through the Protocol of Amendment, extending theagreement for extra 15 years./.
VNA
#Singapore#US#Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen#Mark Esper#regional security issues#East Sea#Indo-Pacific#Vietnam News Agency#Vietnamplus
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