MFA SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS
In response to media queries, the MFA Spokesman said:
"The ASEAN Ministers' decision not to attend the ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting held in Rotterdam was made on a matter of principle. However, the meeting will proceed at the officials' level.
Singapore's position is that all members of international fora, such as the Asia-Europe Meeting, should be treated equally. If an EU member country has a bilateral problem with an ASEAN country, this should not translate into unequal treatment in the multilateral context."
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
16 SEPTEMBER 2005