MFA Press Statement: Fifth Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee, Perth, Western Australia, 22-23 August 2005

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo will lead a ministerial delegation to the fifth meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) from 22 to 23 August 2005 in Perth, Australia. The delegation will include Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean.

The SAJMC is held pursuant to the New Partnership initiative launched by the Prime Ministers of Australia and Singapore in January 1996. It is held biennially and the venue alternates between Australia and Singapore. The last SAJMC was held in Singapore in July 2003.

The 5th SAJMC in Perth will be co-chaired by Minister Yeo and his Australian counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Alexander Downer. The Australian delegation will also include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mr Mark Vaile and Minister for Defence Senator Robert Hill.

The highlight of the 5th SAJMC will be the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement by the two Defence Ministers concerning the continuing use of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for a further period of five years.

The meeting provides an opportunity for Singapore and Australian ministers to reaffirm our excellent ties and enhance bilateral cooperation. The ministers are expected to comprehensively review bilateral co-operation between Singapore and Australia as well as exchange views on regional and international political, economic, and security developments.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
18 AUGUST 2005