MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam at the 68th Session of The United Nations General Assembly, 27 September 2013

1         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 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mauritania, Ahmed Ould Teguedi. Minister Shanmugam also met with Secretary of State Cooperation of Angola, Angela Maria Teixeira D'Alva Sequeira Bragança, as well as the outgoing President of the General Assembly (PGA), Vuk Jeremic. Minister Shanmugam attended the Informal ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AUSFMM) which was co-chaired by the Secretary of State of the United States of America, John Kerry, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, U Wunna Maung Lwin. Minister Shanmugam also hosted a reception for the Singapore community in New York.

2        During the AUSFMM, the Ministers picked up on issues discussed at the July 2013 ASEAN-US Post-Ministerial Conference, including ways in which the US and ASEAN could further engage each other and deepen cooperation. They also discussed ways in which to maintain peace and security in the region, including in the South China Sea. The Ministers looked forward to the inaugural ASEAN-US Summit in October 2013 in Brunei.

3        Minister Shanmugam and Minister Davutoglu discussed the ongoing developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria and the Middle East Peace Process.

4        With Minister Teguedi, Minister Shanmugam discussed ways in which Africa and Asia could deepen existing cooperation, both politically and economically. Minister Shanmugam and Minister Teguedi agreed to formally establish diplomatic relations between Mauritania and Singapore. Minister Shanmugam also encouraged businesses from Mauritania to participate in the Africa-Singapore Business Forum in 2014.

5        Minister Shanmugam and outgoing PGA Jeremic discussed issues related to global governance, the post-2015 development agenda and sustainable development. They also discussed regional developments in ASEAN.

6          With Secretary of State Bragança, Minister Shanmugam encouraged Angolan officials to take training courses in Singapore under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Minister Shanmugam also hoped that the bilateral air service agreement between Singapore and Angola could be concluded soon. He also invited businesses from Angola to participate in the Africa-Singapore Business Forum in 2014.


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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
28 SEPTEMBER 2013