WASHINGTON, D.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Following is the text of a joint statement by United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam, signed on February 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C.:
Begin Text: We, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of the United States of America and Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam of the Republic of Singapore, met today to review the array of close bilateral, regional and global engagement between the two countries. We introduced new mechanisms to further strengthen our partnership and cooperation for the benefit of the Asia-Pacific region.
Our governments and peoples share a long standing interest in maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in the region, expanding the benefits of freer and more open trade, promoting security, protecting diversity and respecting the rule of law. The United States and Singapore have long sought and found common ground and cooperation when examining issues facing the Asia-Pacific region.
As we look to the challenges of the 21st century, our shared democratic values and common interests will continue to guide our collective efforts. The United States-Singapore strategic partnership will be rooted in enhanced political and economic dialogue aimed at meaningful cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Our governments launched an annual Strategic Partnership Dialogue with the next dialogue to occur in Singapore in 2013. We look forward to continued cooperation on economic, political and military, environment, security, education and cultural exchanges that benefit our countries, the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
Our ongoing, senior and working-level dialogues strive to develop solutions to challenges such as non-proliferation, counterterrorism, maritime security, transnational crime, connectivity and economic integration, energy and disaster response management. This cooperation will be in support of regional institutions including the East Asia Summit, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other regional organizations and initiatives.
We are intensifying our work to encourage increased people-to-people ties between the United States and Singapore, encouraging innovation and promoting commercial and trade relationships inclusive of the broad diversity of our nations with focus on women, youth and future leaders.
In all of these areas and the new ones, we will jointly explore solutions to emerging 21st century challenges, and rely on our shared beliefs and aspirations when applying dynamic and practical solutions.
