Singapore - S'pore relations with neighbours on 'firm footing'

The year ahead will be "highly challenging" for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid the backdrop of an increasingly complicated and uncertain world, Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday, while adding that the ministry is confident of managing the challenges.

He told Parliament during the Committee of Supply debate that bilateral ties with key partners are strong and that Singapore's relations with immediate neighbours are "on a firm footing".

Singapore is "enjoying a period of optimism" and has "grown its bilateral ties with both Malaysia and Indonesia", even as both neighbours focus on elections and domestic priorities, he said in response to questions from MPs.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak met at a retreat in Putrajaya in January, and both sides have agreed to work towards new initiatives to advance economic cooperation, enhance connectivity and deepen people-to- people ties.

The two countries are also exploring further cooperation in tourism, education, immigration and the environment.

As for relations with Indonesia, Mr Shanmugam said Mr Lee and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will meet next week for a Leaders' Retreat.

The meeting will review progress on bilateral relations, including economic and counter-terrorism cooperation.

To strengthen links with Indonesian provinces, Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister, said a consulate will be set up in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, in the middle of the year.

He reaffirmed Singapore's robust ties with other key bilateral partners, such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union.

Mr Shanmugam also touched on relations between the United States and China, saying that while "there will inevitably be some competition", it is not a "zero-sum game".

A constructive US-China relationship is essential for stronger global collaboration at a time of world economic instability, he said, adding that Singapore believes that both powers can manage their relationship within a cooperative framework.

Besides the consulate in Medan, Singapore will also expand its diplomatic presence overseas with the opening of embassies in Brazil and Turkey this year.

Minister of State for Home and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said having an embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara is line with Singapore's intention to grow its economic interests there, while the embassy in Brazil will help "broaden and deepen our engagement" in Latin America.

Responding to Ms Ellen Lee's (Sembawang GRC), query on how the Arab Spring has affected Singapore's engagement with the Middle East, Mr Masagos said it is ongoing in spite of the unrest.

He urged Singapore companies to take "a long-term view and continue to explore business opportunities in the region".

Victoria Barker

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