MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam at the 68th Session of The United Nations General Assembly, 24 September 2013

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, who is in New York for the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), met the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America, William Burns, the Minister of External Relations of Cape Verde, Jorge Alberto Da Silva Borges, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr Zlatko Lagumdzija, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Monaco, José Badia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority, Dr Riyad Al-Maliki, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, Valeriu Chiveri.

2        Minister Shanmugam and Deputy Secretary Burns surveyed the US-Singapore bilateral relationship and discussed developments in ASEAN and the broader Asian regional architecture, as well as the ways in which the US could deepen its engagement with the region.

3        With Minister Borges, Minister Shanmugam discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the maritime sector, given the importance of the sector to small island states such as Cape Verde and Singapore. Minister Shanmugam also welcomed the intention of the Cape Verde government to appoint an Honorary Consul General to Singapore.

4        Minister Shanmugam and Deputy Prime Minister Lagumdzija discussed ways in which both sides could share their experiences in economic development and growth, as well as ways in which to expand bilateral economic ties.

5        With Minister Badia, Minister Shanmugam noted the good cooperation between Monaco and Singapore in various multilateral fora including the Global Governance Group (3G) and the Forum of Small States (FOSS).

6        Minister Shanmugam and Minister Mammadyarov noted the growing political ties between Singapore and Azerbaijan, including the State Visit by President Ilham Aliyev to Singapore in November 2012. They also noted the growing economic ties between the two countries, as underscored by the recently inaugurated joint-venture project between Keppel Offshore and Marine and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, for a 52-hectare ship-building and ship-repair yard in Baku.

7        With Minister Al-Maliki, Minister Shanmugam discussed how to further develop the relationship between the Palestinian National Authority and Singapore, as well as developments in the Middle East Peace Process. Minister Shanmugam affirmed Singapore's commitment to help the Palestinian National Authority in its capacity-building efforts and encouraged Palestinian officials to take up training courses in Singapore.

8        Minister Shanmugam and Deputy Minister Chiveri discussed the importance of small states cooperating with and supporting each other.

.     .     .     .     .


MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
25 SEPTEMBER 2013