Singapore and Australia reaffirm bilateral relations at AELM

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) from Nov 10 to 11 in Beijing, China, and the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from Nov 12 to 13, 2014. PM Lee will also be the Guest-of-Honour and address CapitaLand's China-Singapore Dialogue in Beijing on Nov 9.

In the lead up to the AELM, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu had participated in the 26th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) from Nov 7 to 8 in Beijing.

She met with the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop on the sidelines of the AMM where they reaffirmed the warm relations between Singapore and Australia, and explored ways to further enhance this bilateral relationship. They also discussed developments in the region, including on APEC and the upcoming G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

For the AELM, PM Lee will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. While in Beijing, PM Lee will have bilateral meetings with other APEC Leaders.

For the ASEAN Summit, PM Lee will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ASEAN Leaders will discuss progress made towards achieving the goal of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and the direction of ASEAN's Post-2015 Vision. They will also consider recommendations by the High Level Task Force on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs. In addition, they will exchange views on regional and international developments.

The ASEAN Leaders will meet their counterparts during the 17th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 9th East Asia Summit, and Summits with China, India, Japan, and the US, as well as with the United Nations Secretary-General. They will celebrate the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations in a Commemorative Summit with their Australian counterpart.

PM Lee will be accompanied by Mrs Lee Hsien Loong for the two visits.

During the absence of the Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs will be the Acting Prime Minister.

spanaech@sph.com.sg