PM Wong meets Anwar, Hun Manet in Cebu ahead of ASEAN Summit
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) kicked off his series of meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on May 7.
PHOTO: MDDI
CEBU – It was off the plane and straight to bilateral meetings for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on his arrival in Cebu, Philippines, on the afternoon of May 7 for the ASEAN Summit.
PM Wong kicked off his series of meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
After they met, PM Wong said in a post on X that the ties between Singapore and Cambodia continue to grow, in the areas of trade, food security, energy, and joint efforts against cross-border scams.
He then met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. PM Wong wrote in a post on X that they “reviewed key bilateral issues and discussed ways to strengthen partnership”.
“Glad to continue exploring cooperation in areas of mutual benefit amid global uncertainty. Here’s to more constructive engagements together,” he added.
PM Wong also said in a post on social media that he hoped for a productive day of meetings at the ASEAN Summit on May 8, adding: “There’s much to discuss, especially the regional impact of the Middle East crisis and how we should respond.”
Leaders of the 11-member grouping are expected to focus on strengthening trade, energy and food security in the region, amid the trade and energy disruptions caused by the Iran war.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the ASEAN Summit on May 7.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 7, said he and his counterparts were united on the need to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid to enhance regional energy security.
The foreign ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to keep supply chains open and stable, and uphold international law, including navigational rights and freedoms under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong was also in Cebu on May 7 for the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting. Mr Gan said in a Facebook post that they discussed supply chain resilience and energy security.
“We have made good progress but there is still much to be done over the next few months,” he wrote.
