Minister Shanmugam (right) with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister LibermanThe Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Avigdor Liberman, is making an official visit to Singapore from 22 to 23 March 2012 as part of a regional visit to Asia. He is accompanied by senior officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Apart from meeting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, DPM Liberman will call on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as meet with DPM, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean.
During the dinner hosted by Minister K Shanmugam this evening for DPM Liberman, the Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding relations between Singapore and Israel since Singapore’s early years of independence and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The Ministers had a wide-ranging discussion on developments in Asia and the Middle East. Minister Shanmugam noted that there continues to be a severe confidence deficit in the international community over the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran's right to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes was not inconsistent with its responsibility to restore international confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme. He cautioned against precipitate actions and hoped that Iran would work with the international community to achieve a peaceful long-term solution as conflict in the Gulf would have serious consequences for the global economy.
Both Ministers also discussed developments in the Middle East Peace Process. Minister Shanmugam expressed concern with the lack of progress and reiterated Singapore’s support for a two-state solution, which would see Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security. Both sides should commit to an early resumption of negotiations which would form the basis for a comprehensive solution to a longstanding conflict.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
22 MARCH 2012
SINGAPORE