MFA Press Statement: 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20 November 2015

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the 13th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, 20 November 2015. [Photo: MFA]

                Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attended the 13^th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting and the 17^th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting today.

                Held in preparation for the 27^th ASEAN Summit the following day, the meetings saw an exchange of views on political-security issues such as combatting violent extremism and prevention of radicalisation, as well as discussions on ASEAN institutional matters.

                As this was Minister Balakrishnan’s first ASEAN meeting in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, he made introductory calls on some of his ASEAN counterparts, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno Marsudi; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR Thongloun Sisoulith; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai; and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh. 

                The Ministers exchanged views on ASEAN integration and the impending establishment of the ASEAN Community 2015.  They also reaffirmed the good bilateral relations between Singapore and their respective countries, and agreed to continue to work closely to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.  In addition, the Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. 

                Minister Balakrishnan will join Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 27^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from 21 to 22 November 2015.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 NOVEMBER 2015