Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is on an introductory visit to Manila, the Philippines.
Minister Balakrishnan met Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano. Secretary Cayetano also hosted lunch for Minister Balakrishnan, where Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez was also present. During their meeting, Minister Balakrishnan and Secretary Cayetano had a fruitful and wide-ranging discussion that reaffirmed our warm and long-standing bilateral ties. Both sides agreed to expand our cooperation in areas such as air connectivity, telecommunications, human resource development, urban solutions, and promoting trade and investment.
Minister Balakrishnan and Secretary Cayetano looked forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Singapore and the Philippines in 2019. They exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Minister Balakrishnan expressed his condolences to those affected by the conflict in Marawi City, and voiced support for the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, which is a clear and present danger in the region.
Minister Balakrishnan expressed support for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship and Singapore’s commitment to working with the Philippines to uphold ASEAN centrality and unity to promote peace and stability in the region.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
13 JUNE 2017
