(VNF) – Recently, messages of condolence on the passing of former Prime Minister (PM) Phan Van Khai have been flocking to Vietnam from foreign leaders and diplomats.

Alexey V. Popov, consul general of Russia (L) and U.S. Consul General Mary Tarnowka write condolence message on former PM Phan Van Khai's passing (source: Tuoi Tre News)

On December 20, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan have written to the leaders of Vietnam to extend their deepest condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

In his letter on Tuesday to Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, PM Lee said that Mr Khai was instrumental in accelerating economic reforms in Vietnam when he was prime minister.

He added that Mr Khai had contributed greatly to the close relations between Singapore and Vietnam.

"The Connectivity Framework Agreement, which underpins the multi-faceted cooperation between our countries, was first mooted during his official visit to Singapore in March 2004," PM Lee said.

"I recall the warm hospitality that Mr Khai accorded to me when I made my introductory visit to Vietnam as Prime Minister in December 2004."

Meanwhile, in a separate letter to Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, Dr Balakrishnan called Mr Khai a "good friend of Singapore".

"His contributions to Vietnam's development and the partnership between our countries will be remembered long after his passing," Dr Balakrishnan added.

On March 20, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe extended his message of condolences on the passing of former PM Phan Van Khai, to PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On the same day, Foreign Minister Taro Kono also conveyed his message of sincere condolences to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh.

Alexey V. Popov, consul general of Russia in Ho Chi Minh City, stated he was lucky to be able to meet PM Khai as well as participating in meetings between the former Vietnamese premier and Russian leaders.

“In Russia, Phan Van Khai is popularly known as an excellent leader who contributed greatly to the development of Vietnam. He always exerted his best efforts to cement the Vietnam-Russia relationship, helping elevate the two nations’ ties to a strategic partnership,” Popov remarked in Vietnamese in the guestbook in the funeral on March 20.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink also expressed his sincere condolences on the passing of former PM Khai, the first Vietnamese premier to visit the U.S., on Tuesday morning.

“Prime Minister Khai’s contributions to the U.S.-Vietnam partnership continue to have a lasting effect on our rapidly growing cooperation in trade, regional security, and people-to-people ties,” the diplomat continued.

“A humble but persistent reformer, his work will influence Vietnam for generations to come,” he added./.

( VNF )