MFA Spokesman's Comments at APEC Ministerial Meeting, Auckland, 8 Sep 99

Meeting with Chilean Foreign Minister Juan Gabriel Valdes

"Foreign Minister Prof S Jayakumar and Chilean Foreign Minister Juan Gabriel Valdes exchanged views on the recently concluded meeting of officials from East Asia and Latin America in Singapore. The inaugural meeting took place from 1 to 3 September 1999. Both Ministers were pleased to note that the meeting was a fruitful one. It will help to bring the two regions closer together through further understanding and cooperation. Chile will be hosting the East Asia-Latin America Forum Ministerial Meeting in 2001. Singapore and Chile as co-ordinators will work closely to follow-up on EALAF."

Meeting with Peruvian Foreign Minister Dr Fernando de Trazegnies

"Foreign Minister Prof S Jayakumar and Peruvian Foreign Minister Fernando de Trazegnies also spoke about the Singapore meeting of officials from East Asia and Latin America. The Ministers agreed that the meeting was a very productive one and welcomed further dialogue and cooperation between these two regions with vast untapped potential.
The Ministers expressed the hope that the APEC meeting in Auckland will come up with a strong statement in support of the New Round. They also agreed that both sides should have more exchanges in areas such as education and tourism to further enhance ties between the two countries."

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AUCKLAND
8 SEPTEMBER 1999