MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam to the Kingdom of Bahrain, 25 to 27 November 2013

            Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K Shanmugam called on His Royal Highness Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa today.  Both Crown Prince Shaikh Salman and Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa reaffirmed the warm and friendly ties between Bahrain and Singapore.  As small states, Bahrain and Singapore face common challenges and there was scope to cooperate further.  Minister Shanmugam said that Singapore was happy to share our experiences in areas which may be relevant to Bahrain.  He welcomed Crown Prince Shaikh Salman’s interest to use Singapore as a gateway for Bahrain to engage Asia.  In this regard, the entry into force of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will serve as a platform to strengthen economic relations.     

           Separately, Minister Shanmugam met and was hosted to dinner by His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa yesterday.  Minister Shanmugam congratulated Shaikh Khalid for Bahrain’s successful hosting of the 12^th Asia Cooperation Dialogue and 3^rd ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting on 25 November and 26 November respectively.  They agreed that Singapore and Bahrain should work together to strengthen the linkages between ASEAN and the GCC. In this regard, Shaikh Khalid expressed appreciation to Singapore for offering to host a workshop to explore potential areas of cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC in the lead-up to the 4^th ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting in Myanmar.  Both Ministers also had a useful exchange on regional developments.      

           Minister Shanmugam departs for Singapore today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

27 NOVEMBER 2013