MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to the Kingdom of Thailand, 19 - 23 January 2011

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Kasit Piromya today jointly opened the 10th Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP-10) in Bangkok.

In their opening remarks, both Ministers reaffirmed the robust and multi-faceted relations between Thailand and Singapore at various levels. The Ministers were heartened by the ongoing exchanges provided by CSEP to allow both countries to discuss and share their experiences on many cross-cutting issues. They welcomed this year's theme, "Thailand-Singapore: Dealing with Demographic Challenges", which will allow both delegations to explore policy solutions to demographic issues that Thailand and Singapore will face in the coming years. These include an ageing population and a multigenerational workforce.

Earlier today, Minister Yeo and Minister Kasit had a bilateral meeting during which they reaffirmed the friendly relationship between Thailand and Singapore. They had a general discussion on the common demographic challenges that both countries face.

Minister Kasit will host a welcome dinner for Minister Yeo and the Singapore delegation this evening.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
19 JANUARY 2011

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SPEECH BY MINISTER GEORGE YEO AT THE 10TH COORDINATING MEETING OF THE THAILAND-SINGAPORE CIVIL SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (CSEP-10), BANGKOK, THAILAND, 19 - 20 JANUARY 2011

Excellency Kasit Piromya
Dear Thai Friends
Fellow Singaporeans
Ladies and Gentlemen

1 Let me first thank Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya for hosting the 10th Coordinating Meeting of the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme, or CSEP-10. We were just together in Lombok for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, and I am delighted to be his guest here in Bangkok.

2 Thailand and Singapore enjoy close historical ties. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn's first visit to Singapore in 1871 laid the foundation for our countries' firm friendship. The King wisely noted that as Thailand and Singapore were neighbours, it would be advantageous if our countries were friends with each other ¹. Over the years, our ties have grown steadily based on shared interests. There is today a strong reflection of Thailand in Singapore and inter-marriages are not uncommon. It was my pleasure to host Foreign Minister Kasit in August 2010, when he visited Singapore for the foundation stone laying ceremony at the Royal Thai Embassy. The Embassy, which is situated on land acquired by King Chulalongkorn in 1871, remains an enduring symbol of the close ties between both countries.

3 Our strong bilateral ties are underpinned by high-level exchanges, good institutional cooperation and myriad people-to-people exchanges. Last year, more than half a million Singaporeans visited Thailand and more than 300,000 Thais visited Singapore. That's quite a two-way traffic.

4 Our economic ties are robust. In 2009, our bilateral trade totalled S$26.5 billion, rising 18% to $31.3 billion in 2010. In 2009, Thailand was Singapore's ninth largest trading partner, and Singapore was Thailand's sixth largest trading partner. Singapore was also the third largest investor in Thailand. The Singapore Thailand Enhanced Economic relationship, or STEER, has provided a platform for strengthening our bilateral economic cooperation.

5 Defence ties remain a key pillar of our relationship. The Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) share a close and longstanding professional relationship that has enabled both sides to enhance mutual understanding and form personal friendships. Both armed forces regularly participate in key multilateral exercises alongside each other, such as Exercise Cope Tigerand Exercise Cobra Gold. This helps to deepen engagement and promote cooperation between the two armed forces. Singapore is grateful to Thailand for providing the SAF with generous training facilities.

6 Our countries also collaborate closely at key international and regional fora such as ASEAN, APEC and the UN. In ASEAN, Thailand and Singapore are taking concrete steps towards our common objective of achieving a single ASEAN Community by 2015. Thailand and Singapore have also been working closely to ensure that ASEAN maintains its centrality in the evolving regional architecture. It was under Thailand's 2009 Chairmanship that the landmark ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan was launched. The implementation of the Master Plan will enhance the physical interconnectedness of ASEAN member states and contribute to the effectiveness of the various Free Trade Agreements between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners. I will be seeing Khun Kasit for the third time in the span of a week when we join our other ASEAN counterparts for the Connectivity Road Trip from Chiang Rai to Kunming this Sunday. This is part of a series of commemorative events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

7 Since its inaugural meeting in 1998, CSEP has developed into a key institutional link between our two countries, promoting trust and cooperation between our civil services. CSEP has also helped to build personal bonds of friendship among our officials.

8 This year's theme, "Dealing with Demographic Challenges in the Civil Service", is important and timely. In the years to come, both our countries will have to manage challenges arising from ageing populations, declining birth rates and multigenerational workforces. To give a sense of the upcoming challenges, by 2020, 14% of Singapore residents will be 65 years or older, an increase of 5 percentage points from 2010 ². Thailand's population will also age although not as sharply. We should share experiences and learn from each other. Singapore has recently formed the National Population and Talent Division, within the Prime Minister's Office, to bring together whole-of-government population policies under one management and centre of responsibility, and enable policy responses to be considered and addressed in a more holistic way. CSEP will provide a good platform for us to compare notes and pick each others' brains.

9 May I now join Khun Kasit in wishing all of you a fruitful and stimulating CSEP-10. Thank you.

¹ Lim, Pui Huen Patricia. (2009) Through the Eyes of the King - The Travels of King Chulalongkorn to Malaya. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

² Source: National Population and Talent Division, PMO.