Official Visit by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, The Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP, 4 to 5 January 2019

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom The Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP is on an Official Visit to Singapore from 4 to 5 January 2019 at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Foreign Secretary Hunt paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier today. They reaffirmed the strong, growing, and broad-based ties between Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Foreign Secretary Hunt also met Minister Balakrishnan. They welcomed the strengthening of ties at all levels, and reiterated the shared commitment by both countries to free trade, international law and the rules-based multilateral system. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Minister Balakrishnan and Foreign Secretary Hunt also issued a Joint Statement to launch the “Singapore-United Kingdom Partnership for the Future”. The partnership will showcase existing links while creating new opportunities for collaboration. Singapore and the UK look forward to using the partnership to broaden and deepen our ties in the years ahead. The Joint Statement is at ANNEX. The meeting was followed by lunch hosted by Minister and Mrs Balakrishnan for Foreign Secretary Hunt and his wife Mrs Lucia Hunt.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

4 JANUARY 2019

ANNEX

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN

AND

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM JEREMY HUNT

LAUNCH OF THE

SINGAPORE-UK PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE (P4F)

2019 is a significant year for both Singapore and the United Kingdom. It marks both the Bicentennial of the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in Singapore and the beginning of a new era for the United Kingdom.

The Singapore-United Kingdom Partnership for the Future builds on our historical links by celebrating our nations’ shared achievements and looks to the future through the launch of new collaborative initiatives.

            Our shared beliefs in free trade and international law and our strong commitment to the rules-based multilateral system are the foundations upon which our nations are working together to embrace innovation and technology. We also share a commitment towards peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific.

            The relationship between Singapore and the United Kingdom is as broad as it is deep. From government to government, business to business, academic to academic and person to person, it reaches every level especially through the four areas highlighted by the Partnership for the Future: 

• Digital economy

• Sustainable business and innovation

• Security and defence

• Education, culture and youth

            The Partnership for the Future will solidify and expand existing links while creating new opportunities for cooperation in the years to come. There will be announcements on new areas of collaboration and events in celebration of Singapore-UK friendship throughout 2019.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

4 JANUARY 2019

Photo 1 – Call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom The Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP

[Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Photo 2 – Call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong by Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom The Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP

[Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]