Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam participated in the 5th State of the Union Conference organised by the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence on 8 May 2015. Minister Shanmugam was interviewed by Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies and Director of the Global Governance Programme of EUI Brigid Laffan on the topic “Europe and Asia”.
During the interview, Minister Shanmugam gave Singapore’s perspective on regional dynamics in Asia, including the rise of China and India, and the Sino-US relationship. Minister Shanmugam noted that Europe already had a strong economic presence in Asia. The EU, for instance, was the largest investor in Singapore. Nonetheless, there was scope to strengthen this engagement given ASEAN’s economic potential as well as the alignment between ASEAN’s infrastructural needs and Europe’s scientific and technological expertise. Minister encouraged Europe to engage Asia substantively and systematically for the benefit of both regions. A video recording of the interview can be found at https://youtu.be/k20WYfdGess.
Minister Shanmugam also held separate meetings with First Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the conference. They exchanged views on regional developments and discussed bilateral cooperation in areas such as urban planning and counter-terrorism.
Minister Shanmugam departed Florence for Rome on 9 May 2015. He will be in Rome and the Vatican City from 11 to 13 May 2015 for official meetings.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
10 MAY 2015