MFA Press Statement: Visit to Ramallah by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, 24 October 2007

SMS Zainul Abidin Rasheed called on Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other senior officials in Ramallah on 24 October 2007. It was a warm and cordial meeting. SMS Zainul reiterated Singapore's willingness to extend technical assistance to the PNA either through the Singapore Cooperation Programme or the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) Regional Training Centres. PM Fayyad expressed appreciation for Singapore's offer and noted that Palestinians could learn from Singapore's developmental experience. SMS Zainul noted that AMED provided an excellent platform for closer cooperation between Singapore and the PNA. He expressed the hope that the PNA would be well-represented at the 2nd AMED meeting in Sharm El Sheikh in March 2008. Both leaders also discussed regional issues including the upcoming international meeting to be held in Annapolis to support the peace process. SMS Zainul expressed Singapore's support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state which would live side by side in peace and security with Israel. While in Ramallah, SMS Zainul also laid a wreath at the memorial for former Palestinian Liberation Organisation Chairman Yasser Arafat.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
25 OCTOBER 2007