MFA Press Statement: Visit of Delegates from the European Parliament’s Delegation to Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) 1 – 4 May 2012

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam hosted lunch for a seven-member delegation from the European Parliament’s Delegation to Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE), which is visiting Singapore from 1 to 4 May 2012 at the invitation of Parliament.

Minister Shanmugam and the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had a good discussion on a number of issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Europe, developments in Asia, and Singapore’s economic and social policies. Minister Shanmugam and the MEPs reaffirmed the strong Singapore-EU ties and looked forward to the conclusion of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) and the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (ESPCA). The EUSFTA and the ESPCA would also pave the way to greater ASEAN-EU engagement.

During the visit, the delegation also called on Speaker of Parliament Mr Michael Palmer and met the Singapore-Europe Parliamentary Friendship Group, Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang, and Minister of State for Finance and Transport Mrs Josephine Teo. Further, the delegation also met with various ministries, agencies and think-tanks, and visited the Marina Barrage and PSA.

The delegation is led by Chairman Mr Werner Langen MEP (Germany, European People’s Party) and comprises Mr Robert Goebbels MEP (Luxembourg, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats), Ms Astrid Lulling MEP (Luxembourg, European People's Party) Mr Gerald Häfner MEP (Germany, Group of the Greens and European Free Alliance), Ms Teresa Riera Madurell MEP (Spain, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats), Mr Burkhard Balz MEP (Germany, Group of the European People's Party) and Mr Philip Claeys MEP (Belgium, Non-attached Members).

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
4 MAY 2012