MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's meetings in Washington DC, 8 to 9 June 2016

            Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is visiting Washington DC from 8 to 10 June 2016.  Minister Balakrishnan met US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on 8 June 2016 while US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted Minister Balakrishnan to lunch on 9 June 2016.  In these meetings, both sides reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship and discussed how Singapore and the US can work together to advance bilateral cooperation.  They welcomed and discussed the preparations for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s forthcoming official visit to Washington DC.  They also exchanged views on developments in the Asia-Pacific, including the US’ engagement with the region and the South China Sea issue.

            Minister Balakrishnan also had separate meetings with members of Congress including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) and Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).  Minister Balakrishnan also hosted a reception for the Congressional Singapore Caucus on 8 June 2016.  In his meetings on Capitol Hill, Minister Balakrishnan stressed the importance of the US engagement of the Asia-Pacific region, in particular the significance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in signalling the US’ enduring commitment to its presence in the region. 

            In addition, Minister Balakrishnan delivered a speech at the “Statesmen’s Forum” at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on 9 June 2016 entitled “The US’ Role in the Asia-Pacific”, where he highlighted the excellent state of bilateral relations between Singapore and the US, and emphasised the importance of the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership by the US. 

            In his capacity as Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative, Minister Balakrishnan met with Dr DJ Patil, the Chief Data Scientist in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on 9 June 2016.  They explored potential avenues for cooperation in the area of digital government. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

10 JUNE 2016