(Photo: MFA) Italian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Stefania Craxi and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Balaji Sadasivan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Cooperation between Singapore and Italy this morning. The MoU provides for the holding of regular bilateral consultations between Italy and Singapore.
Following the signing ceremony, SMS Balaji hosted Secretary of State Craxi to the inaugural round of bilateral consultations over a working lunch at MFA. SMS Balaji and Secretary of State Craxi reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and Italy and discussed ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic and cultural spheres. SMS Balaji and Secretary of State Craxi also enjoyed a substantive exchange of views on regional and international developments, including the current economic crisis. Both sides agreed that the signing of the MoU and the bilateral consultations were a positive reflection of the good relations between Singapore and Italy.
Secretary Craxi also called on Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong at the Istana this evening.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
9 MARCH 2009