Chan Chun Sing meets Timor-Leste president, foreign defence leaders
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
SINGAPORE – Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing met with a number of his regional and international counterparts on May 30, where he reaffirmed Singapore's friendly bilateral defence ties with them.
On the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Mr Chan called on Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security developments and ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, said Mindef.
Mr Chan met Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof, and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as engagement through multilateral platforms such as the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (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 their defence relations in 2026.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (right) with Brunei's Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II Haji Awang Halbi Haji Mohd Yussof on May 30.
PHOTO: MINDEF
Mr Chan also met Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and the two leaders 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.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) with Philippines Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
In addition, Mr Chan met French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu.
At their meeting, 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 was on a state visit to Singapore.
The state visit came as Singapore and France marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.
During the visit, PM Wong and President 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.
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