Chan Chun Sing meets Timor-Leste president, foreign defence leaders

SINGAPORE – Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing met several of his counterparts on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30, and reaffirmed Singapore's friendly bilateral defence ties with their countries, the Ministry of Defence said.
The minister called on Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, and they exchanged views on regional security developments and ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, said Mindef.
Mr Chan also met Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and both ministers reaffirmed the warm and longstanding bilateral relationship. They discussed regional security issues and cooperation between their countries in multilateral platforms such as the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), ADMM-Plus and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
'Singapore and Malaysia's defence establishments interact regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral and multilateral exercises, visits, professional exchanges, and cross-attendance of courses,' said Mindef. 'These interactions strengthen mutual understanding and professional ties.'
In a meeting Mr Chan had with Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof, they discussed bilateral cooperation as well as engagement through multilateral platforms such as the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.
Singapore's and Brunei's militaries have regular interactions through high-level visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses and bilateral exercises, which strengthen ties and enhance professionalism, said Mindef. Both countries will mark the 50th anniversary of defence relations in 2026.
Mr Chan also met Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and they expressed their commitment to continue working together through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus meetings. They also discussed avenues to further defence cooperation between their countries.
In addition, Mr Chan met French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. Mr Chan expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998. Both ministers also exchanged views on security priorities and geopolitical developments, said Mindef.
The two defence ministers had earlier on May 30 signed three agreements to expand cooperation between Singapore and France in emerging and advanced areas of defence technology, such as quantum and artificial intelligence.
The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to Singapore.
The state visit comes as Singapore and France mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
During the visit, PM Wong and Mr Macron upgraded bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Republic's first with a European country.
Mr Chan's meetings took place at the Shangri-La Hotel, where regional and global defence leaders have gathered for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit.
The dialogue, being held from May 30 to June 1, brings together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction
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