MFA Press Statement:Visit By Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng To Qatar

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng will lead a delegation to Doha, State of Qatar, from 8 to 10 October 2006 to co-chair the Inaugural Meeting of the Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee with the Heir Apparent of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Qatar and Singapore had earlier agreed to foster closer bilateral cooperation through the Qatar-Singapore Connect initiative that was adopted during the State Visit to Singapore of the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in June 2005. The High Level Joint Committee will serve as the vehicle for implementing the Qatar-Singapore Connect initiative by identifying areas for bilateral cooperation and overseeing the implementation of agreed projects. At the meeting, both countries are expected to sign Memoranda of Understanding on the establishment of the High Level Joint Committee, and on cooperation between the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs and the Qatari Ministry of Interior.

During the visit, DPM Wong is expected to have an audience with the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and meet with other Qatari leaders. DPM Wong will also meet with Singaporeans working and living in Qatar.

DPM Wong will be accompanied by the other Singapore members of the High Level Joint Committee, including Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo; Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Law Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee; Minister of State for Finance and Minister of State for Transport Mrs Lim Hwee Hua; Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan and senior officials from various ministries and government agencies.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 OCTOBER 2006