MFA Press Statement: Visit Of Senior Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed To Surabaya, 1 – 2 August 2010

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed visited Sana'a, Republic of Yemen, from 5 to 6 August 2010 to attend the Tenth Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) Council of Ministers' Meeting.

In his address at the IOR-ARC Council of Ministers' Meeting, Senior Minister of State Zainul expressed confidence that if the three flagship projects identified as priority by the members states, namely the Fisheries Support Unit, the Maritime Transport Council, and the Regional Centre for Science and Transfer of Technology, were implemented successfully, this would raise the status of the Association and enhance substantive cooperation among member states. He also highlighted the common historical and cultural linkages shared by many of the member states. Citing the dhow named 'Jewel of Muscat' that had sailed from Oman to Singapore, through Cochin, Galle and Penang, Senior Minister of State Zainul suggested that the IOR-ARC could consider undertaking similar cultural cooperation projects that would help to strengthen people-to-people linkages among its member states.

While in Sana'a, Senior Minister of State Zainul also called on the Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr al-Qirbi. They discussed issues relating to bilateral relations as well as potential areas of cooperation in security and environment. He also met Yemeni Minister of Endowments and Guidance, Hamoud al-Hitar, and exchanged views on Islam and religious rehabilitation. Senior Minister of State Zainul also took the opportunity to meet with the Heads of Delegation from Oman and Thailand on the sidelines of the IOR-ARC Council of Ministers' Meeting.

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 AUGUST 2010.