Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has engaged in discussions with Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan and the Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong during his first official visit to Singapore.
Issuing a statement on the meeting, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore and Sri Lanka share warm and longstanding ties.
He further said that a wide-ranging discussion was held on new areas of bilateral cooperation such as the green and digital economies.
“While the Sri Lankan community in Singapore is small, they have made significant contributions to Singapore’s development. Singapore’s first foreign minister Mr S Rajaratnam was of Sri Lankan heritage. There are also Sri Lankan influences in Singapore’s architecture, street names, and culture. Sri Lanka’s well-known restaurant, Ministry of Crab, has also just opened its first outlet in Dempsey!
“Honoured to host lunch for Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. We had a wide-ranging discussion on new areas of bilateral cooperation such as the green and digital economies. As fellow small island states, we are like-minded partners on the international stage, and share common interests in addressing climate change and upholding the rule of law. I wish Minister Sabry a fruitful visit to Singapore,” he added.
Also commenting on his meeting, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong said a good discussion was held on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, climate change, food security and capacity building.
“Glad to meet Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry today. Minister Sabry is in Singapore for his first official visit. Minister Sabry updated me on the progress of Sri Lanka’s economy. We had a good discussion on ways to enhance our bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, climate change, food security and capacity building. We also exchanged views on regional developments.
“Singapore and Sri Lanka commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. I am confident that we will find many more opportunities to strengthen people-to-people exchanges to benefit both countries. I wish Minister Sabry a pleasant stay in Singapore,” he added. (Newswire)
