Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is visiting Washington D.C. from 3 to 5 May 2017, met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson together with the other ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the Special ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 4 May. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers also met US National Security Advisor Lieutenant General H R McMaster the following day.
During the meetings, ASEAN Member States and the US affirmed the importance of the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership in maintaining regional peace and stability, and in promoting mutually beneficial areas of cooperation. ASEAN Member States and the US also exchanged views on regional and international developments, and agreed to further strengthen ASEAN-US relations.
Singapore welcomes the US’ sustained and multifaceted engagement of ASEAN. The ASEAN-US relationship, which commemorates its 40th anniversary this year, is vibrant and underpinned by robust people-to-people links.
Minister Balakrishnan will depart Washington for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan later today to attend the Aqaba Retreat convened by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan. The Retreat will focus on countering violent extremism in Southeast Asia.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 MAY 2017