Bilateral Relations

Singapore, US satisfied with bilateral relations
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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Tuesday expressed their satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, according to a statement by Lee's press secretary.

During their hour-long meeting, Lee said that he looks forward to strengthening the multi-faceted relations between Singapore and the United States in his first official visit to the America scheduled for the coming July.

Lee reiterated Singapore's support for the United States in the global fight against terrorism while Zoellick briefed Lee on the developments in the Middle East and the reconstruction of Iraq.

Singapore is the last leg of Zoellick's trip to Southeast Asia to review post-tsunami reconstruction efforts as well as bilateral economic and security issues, which started on May 2.

In a press conference held in the American Embassy here on Tuesday, Zoellick emphasized that Southeast Asia, with dynamic economies, strategic sealanes and a population of 500 million people, is a key region for the United States.

"It is in the broader Asian region's interest to have a strong, healthy and dynamic ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), " he added.

He said that he explored ways to boost trade and economic ties between the United States and Southeast Asian nations during his meetings with state leaders and senior officials of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, countries covered by his trip.

Another important part of his trip, according to Zoellick, is to strengthen security ties between the United States and the region.

Recognizing terrorism as a global threat and taking various forms, he noted that ASEAN countries have been cooperating with the United States in areas including maritime security, counter terrorism and proliferation security.

As for post-tsunami response, Zoellick said that the United States has been working closely with countries in the region and is pleased to render help in the reconstruction efforts in Indonesia's Aceh, the worst hit area by the disaster of last December.

He assured that his country will keep the focus of attention in this regard as the US Congress has approved a 900-million-dollar post-tsunami package and the government is committed to building a 250 km road in the western part of Aceh.

Zoellick arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day visit. He also met with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign Minister George Yeo during his stay in the island state.