Caption (left photo): PM Lee meeting with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiv. (SPH Photo)
Caption (right photo): PM Lee with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (MFA Photo)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met separately with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-Am, Petchaburi, today.
Prime Minister Lee had a good exchange of views with Prime Minister Abhisit and President Yudhoyono on regional and bilateral issues. At both meetings, the Leaders discussed the immediate challenges and tasks confronting ASEAN, in particular the impact of the ongoing global financial crisis on the region. The Leaders stressed the need for ASEAN to forge closer cooperation so as to deal more effectively with the difficulties posed by the current economic challenges.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Abhisit also reaffirmed the need for ASEAN to continue promoting free trade and deepening regional economic integration. The Prime Ministers also underscored the warm ties between the two countries. Both Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral initiatives such as the Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) and the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER).
Prime Minister Lee and President Yudhoyono also reaffirmed the close and strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Leaders were pleased with the recent conclusion of an agreement delimiting maritime boundaries between Singapore and Indonesia which would be signed by the two Foreign Ministers on 10 March 2009. Both Leaders agreed that more opportunities could be explored to enhance greater bilateral cooperation.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
28 FEBRUARY 2009