MFA Press Statement: Working Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to Washington DC

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo had separate meetings with US Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk, Chairman of the Senate Sub-Committee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Senator Jim Webb (Democrat-Virginia), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Joseph Lieberman (Independent-Connecticut), and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard Lugar (Republican-Indiana), on 28 April 2009.

Minister Yeo and USTR Ambassador Kirk discussed the importance of continued US leadership in the multilateral trading system, and the need for countries to continue their bilateral and regional engagements through Free Trade Agreements and APEC. They also exchanged views on the importance of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP).

During his meetings with Senators Webb and Lugar, Minister Yeo discussed key developments in the Asia-Pacific region, including continued US engagement with the region. Minister Yeo and Senator Lieberman had substantive discussions on developments in the Middle East and the impact of the global economic crisis.

Minister Yeo delivered a luncheon address at an event hosted by the ASEAN-US Business Council. In his remarks, Minister Yeo outlined the strategic importance of ASEAN, the re-emergence of China and India, and how the global economic crisis would influence international relations. Minister Yeo also emphasised the role which the Asia-Pacific could play in facilitating regional economic integration through APEC, the TPP, and how such efforts could complement the Doha Development Agenda.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
29 APRIL 2009