Singapore's foreign minister visits Philippines to discuss renewables cooperation

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, embarked on a working visit to the Republic of the Philippines from April 15th to 18th, 2024. On April 16th, Minister Balakrishnan engaged in a series of meetings aimed at reinforcing the longstanding and amicable relations between the two nations.

During his visit, Minister Balakrishnan held discussions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., wherein both parties reiterated the strong bonds between Singapore and the Philippines. They explored avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments.

Minister Balakrishnan also met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, where they discussed various areas of collaboration, including people-to-people ties, renewable energy, and the ASEAN Power Grid. Following their meeting, they unveiled a commemorative logo marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Furthermore, Minister Balakrishnan paid a courtesy call on Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte to reaffirm the robust people-to-people ties and explore opportunities for cooperation in education and tourism.

In a joint press conference with Secretary Manalo, Minister Balakrishnan highlighted Singapore’s confidence in the Philippines’ economic growth and expressed Singapore’s commitment to collaboration in future-oriented areas such as the green economy and innovation.

Minister Balakrishnan also addressed regional security concerns, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in resolving disputes in the South China Sea. He underscored ASEAN’s unity and centrality in promoting peace and stability in the region.

The visit signifies Singapore’s continued efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote regional stability and prosperity.