MFA Press Release: Transcript of Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before their Meeting in Washington D.C. on 27 April 2009

TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO AND SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON BEFORE THEIR MEETING IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON 27 APRIL 2009

Secretary Clinton: Well, we are very pleased to have Minister Yeo here with us on behalf of Singapore, a nation that we have very close and constructive relationships with, a nation that is right at the core of global commerce, and I think was just named for the 21st year in a row the best port. So we know that it's a critical part of the global economy. And I also want to thank you and your government for your efforts on behalf of the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the medical and other work that you have provided in Afghanistan.

We have a big agenda before us, and I'm looking forward to our meeting.

Minister Yeo: Thank you very much, Secretary Clinton, for welcoming me to the State Department. Delighted to be back here and delighted to be calling on you in your capacity as Secretary of State. Bilateral relations between Singapore and the U.S. are excellent. We have a free trade agreement which was negotiated in '03, a strategic framework agreement which was concluded in '05. The Singapore Armed Forces work with the U.S. armed services in Iraq and in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden.

I am here today to discuss how to take our relations to a higher level. We appreciate it very much, Madame Secretary, your visit to East Asia, your first - on your first overseas visit. Your visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta was much appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you back in July for the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Secretary Clinton: Yes, yes.

Minister Yeo: And we are also looking forward to the visit of President Obama for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Singapore in November this year.

Secretary Clinton: Yes.

Minister Yeo: Thank you very much.

Secretary Clinton: We are looking forward to all of that as well. Thank you so much, Minister.

Minister Yeo: Thank you.

Secretary Clinton: Thank you all very much.

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