Obama hails ‘very strong’ relations with Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR — US President Barack Obama says relations between the US and Singapore are strong and that the Asian nation is an excellent international partner.

Mr Obama commented after a one-on-one meeting today (Nov 22) with Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, in Malaysia during a summit of Asian nations.

Mr Obama says they discussed efforts to counter Islamic State extremists, the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact, climate change and tensions in the South China Sea.

Singapore is among the 12 countries that have signed on to the TPP trade agreement.

Mr Lee says he told Mr Obama that all countries in the region appreciate the president’s pivot toward Asia and his regular visits.

Mr Obama and Lee met as the American president wraps up a nine-day trip to Turkey, the Philippines and Malaysia. AP