Deputy Secretary Ng Teck Hean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore and Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines co-chaired the Fifth Informal Consultations on the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan (PSAP) via videoconference on 14 July 2021.
The Co-Chairs affirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and the Philippines, and both countries’ longstanding cooperation. They expressed appreciation for the mutual support rendered amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including Singapore’s donations of medical supplies to the Philippines, the assistance given to the nationals residing in each other’s countries, and the facilitation of their return home. They also agreed to share knowledge on contact tracing technologies.
Both sides reviewed the good progress in bilateral cooperation in trade and investments, security and defence, culture, and people-to-people ties despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. They agreed that there was opportunity to expand cooperation in new areas of growth such as the digital economy and waste and water management in the post-COVID-19 “new normal”. The two delegations affirmed their commitment to sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery, and discussed future cooperation to facilitate the safe resumption of travel when conditions permit. Both Co-Chairs also had a wide-ranging exchange of views on regional and international developments, and stressed the importance of strengthening ASEAN Centrality and unity.
Established by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Philippine President Fidel V Ramos in 1998, the PSAP provides an important platform for Singapore and the Philippines to regularly review the state of bilateral relations and uncover new fields of collaboration.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 JULY 2021