Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam with Timor Leste President Taur Matan Rauk. [Photo: MFA]
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. [Photo: MFA]On the second day of his official visit to Timor-Leste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam called on President Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Minister of Justice Dionisio Babo-Soares and Leader of the Opposition Dr Mari Alkatiri. Minister Shanmugam also hosted a dinner for the Singaporean community in Timor-Leste.
Minister Shanmugam, President Ruak and Prime Minister Gusmão underscored the warm and friendly interactions between Singapore and Timor-Leste and our close and growing ties, particularly in the area of economic cooperation. They noted that economic relations between Singapore and Timor-Leste are on an upward trend, with the potential to strengthen further as Timor-Leste continues to develop. President Ruak, Prime Minister Gusmão and Minister Shanmugam agreed to work together to identify new areas of bilateral collaboration. Minister Shanmugam also reiterated Singapore’s support for Timor-Leste’s development, such as through the provision of technical assistance and training.
Minister Shanmugam had an exchange of views with Minister of Justice Dionisio Babo-Soares on the Singapore and Timor-Leste legal systems and discussed ways in which Singapore could share its experiences with Timor-Leste. During his meeting with Leader of the Opposition Dr Mari Alkatiri, Minister Shanmugam discussed the internal developments in Timor-Leste. Minister Shanmugam and Dr Alkatiri also reaffirmed the good relations between both countries.
Minister Shanmugam returns to Singapore tomorrow, following a meeting with the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Alfredo Pires.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 NOVEMBER 2012