Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attended the 21st ASEAN-European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) on 14 October 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. At the AEMM, the Ministers of ASEAN and the EU reviewed the progress made in ASEAN-EU relations, and agreed to work towards upgrading ASEAN-EU relations to a Strategic Partnership, by building on the strong level of cooperation between the two regions, including through enhancing region-to-region connectivity and economic ties. In addition, the Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
On the side-lines of the AEMM, Minister Balakrishnan held separate bilateral meetings with Denmark’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen; Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jürgen Ligi; Finland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini; Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó; Latvia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs; Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn; Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr George William Vella; and Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lăzar Comănescu. During these meetings, the Ministers reaffirmed bilateral ties and discussed how ASEAN-EU relations can be further deepened. They also expressed support for the expeditious ratification of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
While in Bangkok, Minister Balakrishnan also signed a condolence book for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Thailand and wrote that Singapore stands shoulder to shoulder with our Thai friends in this sad and difficult period.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 OCTOBER 2016