HAMBURG • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during the Group of 20 (G-20) Leaders' Summit yesterday.

Both leaders reaffirmed excellent bilateral relations, and exchanged views on regional and international developments, said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

PM Lee and Mr Rutte agreed to step up bilateral cooperation, including in cyber security.

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) had inked a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands' National Cyber Security Centre to boost cyber security cooperation in July last year. On Thursday, the CSA signed a joint declaration on cyber security cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office.

Mr Lee and Mr Rutte looked forward to the early ratification of the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which will benefit businesses on both sides, the statement said.

The EUSFTA had hit a roadblock in May when the European Court of Justice ruled that it could not be concluded by the EU alone and had to be ratified by its 38 national and regional authorities to go into force.

Both leaders also reiterated their commitment and support for an open international trading system.

Mr Rutte had made an official visit to Singapore last November.

Royston Sim