MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman, 7 to 9 March 2017

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will make his introductory visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 7 to 8 March 2017, followed by the Sultanate of Oman on 9 March 2017.  This will be Minister Balakrishnan’s first official visit to the Middle East. 

In the UAE, Minister Balakrishnan will be hosted by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  Minister Balakrishnan will also co-chair the 2^nd Singapore-UAE Joint Committee with Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future His Excellency Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi on 8 March 2017.  Under the theme of “Singapore and the United Arab Emirates: Cross-Regional Hubs”, the Joint Committee will reaffirm the strong regional hub-to-hub connections between both countries and explore ways to further expand bilateral cooperation. 

During his visit, Minister Balakrishnan will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and His Excellency Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council and Chairman of Hedayah.  Minister Balakrishnan will also visit the Hedayah Center, which is an international centre based in Abu Dhabi to promote efforts to counter violent extremism.  Minister Balakrishnan will also lay a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama (“Oasis of Dignity”) UAE Heroes Memorial.  

Minister Balakrishnan will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 12 other ministries and agencies.

In Oman, Minister Balakrishnan will meet His Excellency Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency General Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Numani, Minister of Royal Office and His Excellency Dr Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications.  Minister Balakrishnan will also be hosted to dinner by His Excellency Sayyid Badr Bin Hamad Bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  In his meetings with the Omani leaders, Minister Balakrishnan will reaffirm our excellent bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 MARCH 2017