Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, yesterday met the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)'s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Riyad Al-Maliki, who was in transit in Singapore.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement that the two ministers spoke about developments in the Middle East and Asia.

During the meeting, Dr Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore's support for the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will see the creation of a Palestinian state and both sides living side by side in peace and security.

He expressed hope that both sides would resume direct negotiations and progress towards a just and durable solution, said the MFA. He also reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to support the capacity-building efforts of the Palestinian people.

In April, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during his visit to Ramallah, announced a doubling of the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package for the Palestinians to $10 million.

Also at the meeting yesterday was Mr Hawazi Daipi, who is Singapore's non-resident representative to the PNA.

He was appointed to the role last month to coordinate the enhanced aid package for the Palestinians.