Transcript of Remarks to the Media by Singapore FM Prof S Jayakumar and Thai FM Dr Surakiart Sathirathai after the Opening of the 5th Singapore-Thailand Civil Service Exchange Programme, 27 Nov 02

Channel News Asia: What are both countries doing in terms of security?

Prof Jayakumar: Minister Surakiart and I had a dicussion which touched on international, bilateral and regional matters. Obviously, the question of terrorism in the region featured in our discussion. We both agreed that our respective law enforcement and security agencies which have already been in touch and meeting each other should continue this process of exchanging information and intelligence. The very nature of terrorism is such that although each country can do so much within its borders, because it is a cross-border situation, it requires very close cooperation and contacts. And I am glad to say that we both agreed that the level of cooperation between both our countries' officials of the security and law enforcement agencies is good, and we encourage them to continue this effort.

Dr Surakiart: I join Minister Jayakumar in our satisfaction that our law enforcement people and our intelligence people have been working together very, very closely indeed. They have been working closely before and even more so after the September 11 attack. And now, I am very glad that our intelligence officials from various organisations have good exchange of intelligence and very, very good contact and both of us encourage them to do more. Also, it is important for us from the various agencies to exchange views especially on the changing circumstances so that we can make our security effort well-focused.

MediaCorp Radio: It has been mentioned before that Asean has lost some shine. Can both countries take a greater leadership role when it comes to consolidating ASEAN?

Dr Surakiart: Well, our two Prime Ministers have agreed that both Singapore and Thailand will look at several ways where we can deepen our bilateral relations. These relations will also be applicable to ASEAN countries whenever they are ready, but there are areas where we can work together first to strengthen the existing AFTA, and also to find new areas that we can work together even more closely. For example, we have set up five industrial clusters, including food, tourism, and automative industry, to see how we can facilitate the business in these five industrial cluster areas between the two countries. And of course, this type of cooperation will benefit other ASEAN countries as well. Lately, we have set up the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relations (STEER) to look at ways and means where we can deepen our relations between the two. And I think we have the same vision that ASEAN has to be re-invigorated in the sense that intra-ASEAN economic integration would have to be strengthened, and extra-ASEAN relations such as relations between ASEAN-India, ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan will also have to be strengthened. We have to also show to the world that ASEAN is ready to work with the other regions in both security and economic issues.

Prof Jayakumar: I would echo what Minister Surakiart said. Basically, we feel that ASEAN has mainly three challenges: one is economic, another is security, and the third is the engagement of other countries in the region.
On economic, ASEAN has got to demonstrate that it will do what it takes to be competitive. This is one of the things discussed at the last Summit and as Foreign Ministers, we have to keep track of this together with our Economic Ministers counterparts.

Second, on the security side, the top issue on the agenda is terrorism and how we can all cooperate, and the Ministers in charge of countering transnational crimes have been meeting and there is an action plan. This calls for collective as well as individual action.

Third is ASEAN has got to be outward-looking, while it tackles both these problems. As Minister Surakiart says, we must continue to show that we are relevant to other countries and other regions, and Thailand has made an example, with its proposal at the ACD, which is one of the ways we can be outward-looking.

Channel News Asia: On the topic of terrorism, Malaysia has recently arrested four JI suspects, one of them Singaporean. Has your Ministry heard anything about this?

Prof Jayakumar: It has not come up to my level but I think any action taken by governments in the region, including Malaysia, is a welcome move. Between Malaysia and Singapore - on the cooperation between our respective security agencies and police - it has always been good. I think the cooperation is excellent. Thank you.