MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to the Islamic Republic Of Iran, 5-8 November 2010

Minister George Yeo, who is in Tehran, Iran to attend the 9th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting, is also making a short bilateral visit. Minister Yeo had meetings with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Commerce Minister Mahdi Ghazanfari, Speaker of Majlis Ali Larijani and President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines Mohammad Nahavandian on 7 November 2010.

Minister Yeo and Minister Mottaki exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear programme. Minister Yeo welcomed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's repeated statement that nuclear weapons are against Islam. Minister Yeo also noted Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh's recent statement at an IAEA conference that developing nuclear weapons is against Iran's own national interest.

Minister Yeo and Minister Mottaki discussed ways to improve bilateral relations. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish regular bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries at the senior officials level.

The Ministers agreed that there were sectors which they should develop for mutual benefit. Minister Yeo lamented that bilateral economic cooperation was held back by the nuclear issue. Minister Mottaki expressed understanding of Singapore's adherence to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on trade with Iran. Outside the sanctioned areas, however, both countries should explore greater economic cooperation. One area they identified was tourism. Minister Mottaki welcomed Singapore's involvement in the development of infrastructure and special economic zones (SEZs) in Iran. Both Ministers agreed to work together for the early conclusion of the Investment Guarantee Agreement (IGA).

Minister Yeo's meetings with Minister Ghazanfari and President of the Chamber of Commerce Nahavandian focussed on specific areas of economic cooperation. They agreed to encourage more visits by business delegations on both sides.

During his meeting with Speaker Larijani, Minister Yeo conveyed Speaker Abdullah Tarmugi's good wishes, and reiterated the latter's invitation to visit Singapore.

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