Message from President of the Republic of Singapore
In June 2017 Singaore welcomed Prime Minister Turnbull to Singapore for his first official visit, reciprocating his warm hospitality for his own visit to Canberra in October 2016. This visit was the second Annual Singapore Australia Leaders’ Summit and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, or CSP.
"We had very good discussions during his visit on a wide range of issues, regional and economic. We exchanged views on developments in the United States, in Europe, in Asia, as well as our concerns over the recent terrorist attacks in the West and in our part of the world.
Singapore and Australia are both outward-oriented and trade-dependent countries. We want a peaceful and orderly world, an open and inclusive international system where countries big and small can prosper.
That’s why we are both friends with all the major powers. We see the United States continuing to play a major role fostering peace and stability in Asia.
We also welcome China's engagement in the region because for both Singapore and Australia, China is our largest trading partner. Constructive initiatives such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’, can promote greater regional cooperation and development.
The strategic alignment between Singapore and Australia is why we work closely on regional trade initiatives like the TPP and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.
Mr Turnbull took the lead in resuming TPP talks among the remaining 11 members after the US withdrew from the TPP. It shows Australia's continued commitment to regional cooperation and to free trade.
Singapore agrees with and supports the TPP 11 deal.
Mr Turnbull and I also agreed on the importance of ASEAN centrality in an open President of the Republic of Singapore.
I would like to welcome Prime Minister Turnbull to Singapore for his first official visit, reciprocating his warm hospitality for my visit to Canberra last October.
This visit is the second Annual Singapore Australia Leaders’ Summit and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, or CSP.
We had very good discussions during his visit on a wide range of issues, regional and economic.