Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo is in New York from 21 September to 1 October 2008 to attend the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
On 22 September 2008, Minister Yeo attended the High-Level Event on Africa at the UN. Minister Yeo also joined United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile Minister Alejandro Foxley, and New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff to announce the launch of negotiations for the US to join the comprehensive Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership ("TPSEP") Agreement.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Minister Yeo had separate meetings with his counterparts from Albania, Bahrain, the Netherlands and Qatar. Minister Yeo also met representatives of the American Jewish Committee.
Minister Yeo and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Lulzim Basha discussed latest developments in Albania, including Albania's accession to NATO, its impressive economic developments, and its evolving education system. They also expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation would be further strengthened, particularly in the areas of port management and finance. The ministers also exchanged views on Kosovo.
In his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, the two Foreign Ministers noted and welcomed the increasing cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They also discussed climate change and agreed that both countries should work closely together in this area. They further talked about the international credit crisis and its impact on the economy.
Minister Yeo and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Maxime Verhagen reviewed the strong bilateral relations between both countries and agreed to keep up the momentum of cooperation. They also briefed each other on the latest developments in ASEAN and Europe.
Minister Yeo and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani welcomed the conclusion of the GCC-Singapore FTA (GSFTA). They looked forward to seeing the GSFTA signed later this year, and discussed opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Singapore.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 SEPTEMBER 2008