MFA Press Statement: Visit by ESM Goh Chok Tong to the Republic of Kazakhstan 26 to 29 September

            Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong called on the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev today.  Both leaders reaffirmed the warm bilateral relations between Singapore and Kazakhstan, and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.  They exchanged views on regional developments as well as developments in Kazakhstan and Singapore. They also discussed areas of cooperation between Singapore and Kazakhstan including capacity-building for Kazakh public officials and boosting connectivity.  ESM thanked President Nazarbayev for Kazakhstan’s support for the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and the Eurasian Economic Union.  ESM Goh also conveyed congratulations on Kazakhstan’s 25th Anniversary of Independence this year.   Following the meeting, ESM Goh was hosted to private lunch by President Nazarbayev.

            ESM Goh and the Chairman of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Fighting Corruption Kairat Kozhamzharov witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Civil Service College of Singapore and the Academy of Public Administration.  Under the MOU, the Civil Service College will jointly organise a series of training workshops with the Academy of Public Administration for senior leaders from Kazakhstan, supported by the Temasek Foundation International.

            ESM Goh planted a tree at the Presidential Park in Astana, and later met a group of Singaporeans based in Astana.  ESM Goh concludes his visit to Astana this evening and will return to Singapore tomorrow morning.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

28 SEPTEMBER 2016