Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on his New Zealand counterpart, Prime Minister John Key this afternoon (New Zealand time). During the call, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed the warm and longstanding bilateral relations between Singapore and New Zealand, including the area of defence cooperation. They also had a good and broad ranging discussion on regional and global developments such as Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the ASEAN Framework for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the impact of the global slow-down on the region. The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on the economic challenges faced by both countries.
Prime Minister Lee also called on the Governor General of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae earlier today. Prime Minister Lee is in New Zealand on an official visit and will depart for Australia tomorrow.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 OCTOBER 2012