Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on 15 November 2018. Both leaders welcomed the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Prime Minister Lee commended the leadership role played by Prime Minister Abe and Japan in the CPTPP. Singapore and Japan are also working closely to achieve a swift conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by next year. Both leaders also discussed ASEAN-Japan relations and developments in Northeast Asia, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Prime Minister Lee also met New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed the close relations between Singapore and New Zealand, which are working towards establishing an Enhanced Partnership (EP). The two Prime Ministers announced the conclusion of the 3rd Review of the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP), which will form a key component of the EP, and looked forward to the signing of the EP and upgraded ANZSCEP next year. They also exchanged views on regional issues.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 NOVEMBER 2018
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 15 November 2018
[Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, 15 November 2018
[Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]
