MFA Press Statement: Meetings of the Prime Minister of Myanmar General Thein Sein with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on 17 March 2009

As part of his Introductory Visit to Singapore, the Prime Minister of Myanmar General Thein Sein called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Thein Sein thanked Prime Minister Lee for Singapore's humanitarian assistance to Cyclone Nargis survivors last year. PM Lee also said that Singapore would continue to provide humanitarian assistance for the Nargis recovery. They also discussed the bilateral relationship and potential areas of cooperation and collaboration. Referring to the global economic environment, both Prime Ministers agreed that strengthening ASEAN and removing impediments to closer economic cooperation would stand both countries in better stead in dealing with these challenges.

Prime Minister Thein Sein also met with and updated Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on political and economic developments in Myanmar since Senior Minister Goh's last visit to Myanmar in 1998. They also exchanged views on perceptions within ASEAN and the rest of the international community on Myanmar. They agreed that it was important to maintain links and contacts in the lead-up to as well as after the elections in Myanmar in 2010.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
17 MARCH 2009