MFA Press Statement: 23rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 10 October 2013

                 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the 16^th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, the 8^th East Asia Summit (EAS), the 11^th ASEAN-India Summit, and the 5^th ASEAN-United Nations (UN) Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam today.

                  At the 16^th APT Summit, the Leaders reviewed the APT’s wide-ranging cooperation on substantive issues such as food security, education, and ASEAN Connectivity, and welcomed positive initiatives such as the 16^th APT Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, which was held in May 2013.  The Leaders emphasised the importance of building on the strong foundations of existing cooperation and adopted a Revised APT Cooperation Work Plan 2013-2017, which would broaden cooperation and deepen shared interests in regional peace and prosperity. 

                   At the 8^th EAS, the Leaders had fruitful discussions on functional cooperation priorities such as food and energy security, climate change, disaster management and pandemic diseases.  The Leaders adopted the Declaration of the 8^th EAS on Food Security, reflecting their commitment to enhancing food security cooperation in the EAS.  The Leaders also had a frank exchange of views on regional and international issues, including developments in the Middle East and Syria, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.  The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of keeping the EAS an effective and relevant pillar of the ASEAN-led regional architecture to preserve peace and stability in the region.  

                   During the 11^th ASEAN-India Summit, the Leaders welcomed the  conclusion of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement and looked forward to its signing by the end of 2013.  India also announced that it would appoint a dedicated Ambassador to ASEAN, which will underline its firm commitment to the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership. 

                   The ASEAN Leaders also met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon during the 5^th ASEAN-UN Summit.  They welcomed the first review of the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the UN in September 2013, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation, especially in areas that would support ASEAN’s Community-building goals. 

                   Senior officials from Singapore and India also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of Nalanda University at the sidelines of the EAS.  The MOU will facilitate the setting up of Nalanda University as an international institution of excellence.   

                    His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Myanmar in a closing ceremony attended by all the ASEAN Leaders.  His Majesty wished Myanmar success in advancing ASEAN’s goals during its Chairmanship in the coming year.  Myanmar President Thein Sein pledged to continue preserving ASEAN unity during Myanmar’s Chairmanship, aptly themed, "Moving forward in unity towards a peaceful and prosperous Community".

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

10 OCTOBER 2013