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 paid a courtesy call on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, Iran on 8 November 2010. President Ahmadinejad spoke on the importance of big and small countries dealing with one another on the basis of equality and respect. He recalled his meeting with PM Lee Hsien Loong in Copenhagen on the sidelines of COP15 in December last year. President Ahmadinejad called for closer relations between Iran and Singapore.

Minister Yeo regretted that greater bilateral economic cooperation was being held back by the nuclear issue and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. Minister Yeo hoped that the coming talks between Iran and the P5+1 (five permanent members of the UNSC and Germany) would lead to fruitful results and the eventual resolution of the nuclear issue. On the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Minister Yeo said that he would work with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on promoting greater Asian unity.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
9 NOVEMBER 2010