MFA Press Statement: Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, 2 December 2016

                Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written a letter to the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, in response to Chancellor Merkel’s invitation to PM to attend the G20 Hamburg Summit from 7 to 8 July 2017.  The text of the letter is appended. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

2 DECEMBER 2016

PM Lee’s letter to Chancellor Angela Merkel

2 December 2016

Dear Chancellor Merkel,

                Thank you for your letter dated 8 November 2016, inviting Singapore to the G20 Hamburg Summit to be held from 7 to 8 July 2017, as well as the Ministerial meetings and other associated meetings under Germany’s 2017 G20 Presidency.

                Singapore is honoured to accept the invitation to participate in the G20 Hamburg Summit.  We firmly support Germany’s efforts to enrich the inclusiveness and transparency of the G20 process by reaching out to non-G20 countries.  Singapore seeks to promote stronger engagement between the G20 and the wider United Nations membership through the Global Governance Group.

                We welcome Germany’s priorities on resilience, responsibility and sustainability.  The G20’s leadership in steering the global economy is especially crucial at a time of subdued global economic outlook, as well as sluggish growth in trade and investment. As an open economy and a major financial centre, Singapore will continue our active contributions to the G20’s ongoing discussions on key economic and financial policy issues.  

                Our two countries have cooperated closely across various fields.  In this regard, Singapore looks forward to working closely with Germany towards a successful G20 Hamburg Summit and G20 Presidency.

Lee Hsien Loong

Her Excellency Angela Merkel

The Federal Chancellor

The Federal Republic of Germany