MFA Press Statement: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Meetings and Pull-Asides on the Sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, 14 November 2018

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the sidelines of the 33^rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on 14 November 2018. The leaders reaffirmed the robust bilateral ties. They discussed the updating of the Singapore-Philippines Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and the expansion of the bilateral Air Transport Agreement, which will enhance trade and investment flows between both countries. Prime Minister Lee reaffirmed Singapore’s support for counter-terrorism efforts undertaken by the Philippines. The leaders also exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and emphasised the importance of regional cooperation to maintain peace and stability.

Prime Minister Lee also met Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi. The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the good cooperation between Singapore and India in various areas including trade and investment, skills, smart cities, defence, and innovation and FinTech. They welcomed the launch of the 3^rd Review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in September 2018, and the 25^th anniversary of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) that is currently ongoing. Both leaders agreed to keep up the momentum towards greater connectivity, including boosting air links, economic integration through harnessing financial technology, and concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) soon.

Prime Minister Lee also met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Australia, which were enhanced by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) signed in 2015. They agreed that there is scope to further deepen and expand bilateral cooperation under the CSP. Prime Minister Morrison expressed appreciation for Singapore’s 2018 ASEAN Chairmanship. The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on regional issues. 

President of the Republic of Chile Sebastián Piñera and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, who are participating in the ASEAN Summit as Guests of the ASEAN Chair, met with Prime Minister Lee and attended a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Lee for ASEAN Leaders and Guests of the ASEAN Chair.

At their pull-aside, Prime Minister Lee and President Piñera reaffirmed the warm relations between Singapore and Chile.  Both leaders agreed to conclude an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) as soon as possible, as well as to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (PASFTA).  Both leaders also discussed new areas of bilateral cooperation including in the areas of digital economy, cybersecurity and health. President Piñera thanked Prime Minister Lee for the invitation to participate in the ASEAN Summit as Guest of the Chair and invited Prime Minister Lee to make an official visit to Chile in 2019 in conjunction with his participation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Santiago, Chile.

          Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed the new areas of bilateral cooperation, including the agreements signed between Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) on cybersecurity cooperation, and between Infrastructure Asia (IA) and GAC on infrastructure and smart cities cooperation (Additional background on the two MOUs is at Annex).  Both leaders discussed regional and international developments and welcomed the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which would promote regional economic integration and bring about benefits for businesses and people in both countries.  Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Prime Minister Lee for the invitation to participate in the ASEAN Summit as Guest of the Chair, and reiterated Canada’s commitment to ASEAN’s agenda. Prime Minister Lee welcomed Canada’s interest in deepening its economic engagement of the region.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 14 November 2018 (Credit: MCI)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, 14 November 2018 (Credit: MCI)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 14 November 2018 (Credit: MCI)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong having a pull-aside with President of the Republic of Chile Sebastián Piñera, 14 November 2018 (Credit: MCI)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, 14 November 2018 (Credit: MCI)

.    .    .    .     .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE 

15 NOVEMBER 2018