In response to media queries about Indonesia hosting the Sub-Regional Environment Ministerial Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution, the MFA Spokesman said:
"We are delighted that Indonesia has heeded calls from the region to take urgent action to deal with this serious problem. We commend Indonesia for taking responsibility and agreeing to convene this meeting. Singapore was happy to agree to shift the meeting to Indonesia. As the forest fires are on Indonesian territories, this is a more appropriate venue. The purpose of the meeting is to see how Singapore and other affected countries can help Indonesia prevent a recurrence of the problem in the future and take immediate action to mitigate the fires that are currently causing the haze. This will take not just a regional but international effort."
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 OCTOBER 2006