MFA Spokesman’s Comments on Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso's Visit to Singapore, 7-8 December 2006

"The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Taro Aso, is visiting Singapore on his way to Cebu for the ASEAN+3/EAS meetings. He met with Foreign Minister George Yeo for an exchange of views on the up-coming meetings as well other regional and international developments.

The Ministers reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between Singapore and Japan. They exchanged views on the strategic situation in East Asia and agreed that while issues like North Korea were of concern and needed to be carefully handled, the outlook was generally favourable and held great promise. East Asia was in a phase of sustained dynamic growth which had profound global implications.

They agreed on the importance of broader, deeper and open regional cooperation through forums like ASEAN, ASEAN+3, the EAS and APEC in order to manage potential problems and maximize opportunities. The Ministers agreed that Japan and Singapore would work closely to strengthen ASEAN and move regional cooperation forward.

After the bilateral meeting, the Ministers will attend a grassroots event at Hougang where Minister Aso will glimpse the heartlands of Singapore. Thereafter, Minister Yeo will host Minister Aso to a casual dinner at Punggol Park to continue their discussions."