MFA Press Statement: Visit by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to Qatar and United Arab Emirates, 4 to 9 November 2012

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong visited Doha, Qatar from 4 – 7 November 2012 and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 7 – 9 November 2012. ESM had a good exchange of views with the key leaders of both countries on geopolitical developments in the Middle East and Asia.

In Doha, ESM Goh called on His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent of the State of Qatar and Deputy Commander in Chief of the Qatari Armed Forces. They reaffirmed the excellent ties between Singapore and Qatar. They also discussed how the Qatar-Singapore High Level Joint Committee (HLJC) – co-chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean – could explore new areas of cooperation.

In Abu Dhabi, ESM Goh called on His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. They expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral interactions between Singapore and the UAE, and acknowledged the good progress of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF). They also discussed how both countries could enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as water management, human resource development and joint economic projects in third countries such as China, Myanmar and Malaysia, in particular Iskandar Malaysia. ESM Goh welcomed senior UAE officials to study Singapore’s experience in these areas.

ESM Goh also met His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi. His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted the excellent state of bilateral relations and expressed interest in sending his officials to learn about Singapore’s policies on human resource development and public governance. Other prominent personalities ESM Goh met in Abu Dhabi included Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak (Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi) and Sultan Bin Nasser Al Suwaidi (Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates). ESM Goh returns to Singapore on 9 November 2012.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

8 NOVEMBER 2012