MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo's meetings at the XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, 13 to 16 July 2009

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, who is leading the Singapore delegation to the XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, had a number of bilateral meetings with other leaders and Foreign Ministers attending the Summit.

Minister Yeo called on H.E. President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan. President Rahmon, who had requested the meeting, expressed a desire for closer relations with Singapore.

Minister Yeo also called on H.E. President Kim Yong Nam of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Besides discussing bilateral relations, Minister Yeo informed President Kim that it was the collective wish of the ASEAN countries that on the first anniversary of the DPRK's accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the DPRK would be fully represented at Ministerial level at the forthcoming ARF Ministerial Meeting in Phuket.

Minister had a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister H.E. S M Krishna. The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the state of bilateral relations. Minister Yeo informed Foreign Minister Krishna that Singapore would support India's candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2011-2012.

Minister Yeo also had bilateral meetings with H.E. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba, H.E. Alrich Nicolas, the Foreign Minister of Haiti, H.E. Dr Dipu Moni, the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and H.E. Vuk Jeremic, the Foreign Minister of Serbia.

Minister Yeo also attended an informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 14 July 09. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Kasit Piromya, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chairman of ASEAN.