Foreign Secretary in Singapore for Golden Jubilee celebrations
Foreign Secretary in Singapore for Golden Jubilee celebrations following successful strategic talks in Japan
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond will today represent the UK at celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Singaporean statehood.
During his visit on the country’s 50th National Day, Mr Hammond will underline the close friendship between the UK and Singapore, and recognise the crucial role of Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew who passed away earlier this year.
The Foreign Secretary said:
Britain and Singapore have a relationship and history that is as close today as it was 50 years ago. We invest heavily in each other’s economies and the UK sees itself as among Singapore’s best friends.
I look forward to joining the events marking this special day and to conveying personally the British government’s congratulations to President Tan and all the Singaporean people.
Mr Hammond’s arrival in Singapore followed high level strategic talks in Tokyo yesterday on international security and trade.
He said:
Britain values highly its partnership with Japan and the friendship between our peoples.
These latest UK-Japan strategic talks, with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defence Minister General Nakatani, were an opportunity to discuss many of the challenges and opportunities that we both face.
Our countries have made a significant contribution to global peace and security over many decades, based on shared values including our firm support for the international rules based system, and we look forward to sustained and close defence, security and economic co-operations in years to come.
Further information
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