Yogyakarta, Central Java: Singapore's Foreign Affairs and Law
Minister, K Shanmugam, says he supports a proposal by Indonesia to help settle
the South China Sea dispute.
The proposal is called the
"Zero Draft" Code of Conduct.
He also praised Indonesia's
efforts at finding a lasting solution to the territorial dispute which involves
six countries, four of which are ASEAN member states.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking after
meeting his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa in Yogyakarta, Central Java
on Wednesday.
Mr Shanmugam said: "It's a
very useful framework structure and a lot of work and effort has gone to it and
we thank Pak Marty and Indonesia for that.
"In terms of how this plays
out, of course there's a number of parties involved. How we put it forward,
what sort of elements we take later…those are matters to be discussed within
the countries. But I think it's a good start."
Mr Natalegawa said: "We
can't simply propose something and say take it or leave it. It needs to be
discussed and measured so it fits accordingly. We want to trigger a momentum,
but on the other hand we cannot impose an idea."
Mr Natalegawa had already
explained that the Zero Draft COC states that efforts to build landmarks,
emplace troops, send commercial ships or provide oil concessions will not
strengthen the territorial claims of any particular country involved in the
disputes.
He added that representatives of
ASEAN and China will meet in Thailand next week to put forth their ideas on the
Zero Draft COC.
The meeting between the two
foreign ministers complements the annual meeting between the leaders of
Singapore and Indonesia.
Besides ASEAN issues, discussions
also included trade, investment and tourism.
Indonesia and Singapore are
working on air connectivity to boost tourism, which will allow tourists holding
visas to Singapore to visit the neighbouring Indonesian Riau islands such as
Batam and Bintan without having to apply for an additional Indonesian visa.
Both Mr Shanmugam and Mr
Natalegawa agreed that bilateral relations remain strong and robust.
Mr Shanmugam said: "It's
always enjoyable to come to Indonesia and be hosted by Pak Marty; excellent
hospitality, great place, and of course underlying it all is a great
relationship and friendship between our two countries.
"As Pak Marty has put
forward, the relationship with Indonesia is so multi-faceted, the
people-to-people relationship is very strong. It's got an investment focus,
it's got a trade focus, it's got a tourism focus.
"In all these, the
relationship is fundamental; it is strong and very substantive. Even though,
you know, you look at the rest of the world and you compare it, the
relationship between Singapore and Indonesia, in economic terms, is very
substantive and mutually beneficial."
He said both sides also see many
things in the region along similar lines.
Mr Shanmugam also met the
Vice-Governor of Yogyakarta, Paku Alam IX. They discussed developments in
Yogyakarta and exchanged ideas to strengthen economic cooperation between
Singapore and Yogyakarta.
Mr Shanmugam will travel to
Jakarta on Thursday and call on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
- CNA/ir
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