MFA Press Statement: Working Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Washington D.C., United States of America, 5 June 2018

     Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is currently on a working visit to Washington D.C., was hosted to a luncheon by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department.  Minister Balakrishnan also met with National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton at the White House in the afternoon.

     At Minister Balakrishnan’s meetings with Secretary Pompeo and NSA Bolton, both sides reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding ties between Singapore and the US across the defence, economic and security spheres.  Secretary Pompeo and NSA Bolton expressed support for Singapore’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year and discussed ways in which the United States could deepen its enduring strategic and economic interests in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen its multi-faceted engagement of the region.   

     Both men expressed appreciation for Singapore’s hosting of the historic Summit between US President Donald Trump and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un in Singapore the following week.  Minister Balakrishnan welcomed the upcoming visit of President Trump and Chairman Kim to Singapore and expressed the hope that the upcoming Summit would contribute towards lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.   

     Minister Balakrishnan will conclude his visit to Washington D.C. today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 JUNE 2018