Singaporean leaders congratulate U Htin Kyaw elected as President of Myanmar

Singaporean leaders have sent congratulatory letters to U Htin Kyaw, who was elected as President of Myanmar on Tuesday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Thursday.

Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam extended his warmest congratulations to U Htin Kyaw in a letter on Wednesday, according to MFA's statement. President Tan noted that relations between Singapore and Myanmar are longstanding and multi-faceted, and people-to-people ties are strong and growing.

"In April this year, we will mark the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. It is a significant milestone and I am certain that our bilateral relations will continue to strengthen in existing and new fields," said President Tan.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also wrote to U Htin Kyaw on Wednesday. PM Lee said "Singapore and Myanmar are old friends and neighbors".

The two countries enjoy excellent cooperation on a wide range of issues, including trade and investment, education, finance, health and legal matters, vocational education, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges, he said.

"I look forward to working with you to enhance our relations and deepen our cooperation in ASEAN and the international community," added PM Lee in the letter.

U Htin Kyaw from Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won the presidential election on Tuesday, thus becoming the country's new president for the next five-year term. Enditem