MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, who is in New York for the 69^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held bilateral meetings on the sidelines with the delegations from Antigua and Barbuda, Colombia, Grenada, Kosovo, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, and Serbia

Minister Shanmugam and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Antigua and Barbuda, Charles Fernandez, had a good discussion on the positive state of bilateral relations. Both Ministers also discussed how Antigua and Barbuda could take advantage of the Enhanced Technical Cooperation Package for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which was announced by Minister Shanmugam during the CARICOM High Level Ministerial Exchange Visit hosted by Singapore in July 2013.

Minister Shanmugam and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, exchanged views on how both countries could further strengthen bilateral ties.  Both sides agreed to explore deepening cooperation in areas such as technical education.

In their meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Business of Grenada, Nickolas Steele, updated Minister Shanmugam about the domestic situation in Grenada.  Minister Shanmugam reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment and support through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) to CARICOM, of which Grenada is a member.

Minister Shanmugam and President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, had a good exchange of views on Singapore-Kosovo relations.  President Jahjaga also updated Minister Shanmugam on recent developments in Kosovo.

Minister Shanmugam and Foreign Minister of Norway, Børge Brende, affirmed the warm and friendly ties between both countries and exchanged views on a broad range of global political, security and socio-economic issues.

Minister Shanmugam and Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, affirmed the good relations between both countries. They also discussed how to deepen cooperation between Singapore and Panama, including through the provision of training programmes for officials from Panama through the SCP.

Minister Shanmugam and Foreign Minister of Paraguay, Eladio Loizaga, exchanged views on promoting closer economic linkages between Singapore and Paraguay. Minister Shanmugam encouraged Paraguay to consider sending a delegation to the next Latin Asia Business Forum hosted by Singapore.

Minister Shanmugam and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania, Titus Corlatean, had a good exchange of views on how both countries could strengthen bilateral ties, including through the exchange of visits at the different levels.

Minister Shanmugam and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić, affirmed the warm ties between both countries and discussed how bilateral economic relations could be further enhanced.