MFA Press Statement: Introductory Visit of Minister For Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Australia, 3 March 2016

Meeting between Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Canberra, 3 March 2016 [Photo: MFA]
 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is on an introductory visit to Australia. Minister Balakrishnan had meetings with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne, Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt, Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos, Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor and Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Tanya Plibersek, today. 

During the meeting with Minister Bishop, both Ministers expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was signed in June 2015. They also noted the good progress in ongoing discussions on concluding enhanced defence cooperation agreements and the review of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). Recognising the complementarities between Australia and Singapore, they also agreed to enhance cooperation in innovation, research and development and smart cities. They took the opportunity to exchange views on regional developments.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 MARCH 2016