MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS RELEASE
OPENING ADDRESS BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO AT THE 9TH COORDINATING MEETING OF THE THAILAND-SINGAPORE CIVIL SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (CSEP-9), 14 OCTOBER 2009, 9.30AM, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL
Your Excellency Minister Kasit Piromya Dear Thai Friends Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with much pleasure that I welcome Khun Kasit and members of the Thai delegation to the 9th Coordinating Meeting of the Thailand- Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP). Less than two months ago, Khun Kasit paid me a great honour by visiting my constituency during a National Day Dinner. Khun Kasit, I am delighted to welcome you back to Singapore again. We are doubly delighted that Mrs Chintana Piromya is able to come as well.
Relations between Thailand and Singapore go back a long time. The Bronze Elephant Statue located at the Old Singapore Parliament House is a symbol of an old friendship. It was presented by King Chulalongkorn to the people of Singapore in 1871 during his first overseas visit as KingKing. Chulalongkorn developed such a fondness for Singapore that he bought Hurricane House, a mansion at Orchard Road, to stay in whenever he was in Singapore. The Thai Embassy now stands in its place on that land as an enduring reminder of the strong ties between our two countries.We share so much in common.
Reflecting the strong bilateral ties, there has been steady exchange of visits this past year. Earlier this year, we were honoured to host Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to Singapore at our President’s invitation. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made his introductory visit to Singapore in June. Besides reaffirming the longstanding friendship and excellent state of relations between our countries, PM Abhisit and PM Lee Hsien Loong agreed to forge a closer partnership and address challenges confronting the region together. PM Lee and I will be in Hua Hin next week for the ASEAN Summit. We look forward to it. We also look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Abhisit and Khun Kasit back for the coming APEC meeting in November.
Our economic relationship has grown from strength to strength. In 2008, Singapore was Thailand’s 5th largest trading partner while Thailand was Singapore’s 9th largest trading partner. The Singapore Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER) provides a good platform for the enhancement of bilateral tiesPlans. are being made for the3rd STEER meeting to be held in Singapore soon.
Our defence relations are firm and strong. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Thai Armed Forces have frequent interactions, participating in major multilateral exercises such as Ex Cope Tiger and Ex Cobra Gold. Thailand is also part of the Malacca Straits Patrol contributing to thesecurity of a strategic maritime route. We thank the Thai Governmentand the Thai people for providing valuable training facilities for the SAF in Thailand. Both countries are committed to strengthening bilateral defence ties.
Our Foreign Ministries enjoy a strong working relationship within ASEAN and at regional and international forums. Despite domestic difficulties, Thailand in the Chair ensured that the ASEAN agenda was progressed in the last one and a half years; especially the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, including the formation of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights at the coming ASEAN Summit. For ASEAN to play a central role in shaping the regional architecture, we must be strong and united ourselves. We also look forward to Thailand's hosting of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue Ministerial Meeting next year.
The strong people-to-people relations between our countries are based on shared history, culture and bloodlines. A disproportionate number of Singaporeans visit Thailand every year, and we receive just as many Thai visitors to Singapore. With the emergence of budget airlines, fares have come down, making business and leisure travel more affordableThe . Thai community in Singapore has grown over the years and contributes significantly to Singapore’s development and to our good relations with Thailand.
Since its inception in 1997, CSEP has helped to foster strong relations between the civil services of Thailand and Singapore. These institutional ties make our bilateral relationship more robustThey. forge bonds of personal friendship which enable our joint response to challenges and opportunities more effective. The formation of the new Environmental Cooperation Cluster in CSEP this year is timely.
The theme of this year's CSEP is "Thailand and Singapore: Enhancing Civil Service Coordination for Effective Responses to Complex Regional Challenges". To overcome difficult challenges like maritime security, terrorism, climate change and environmental protection, we have to cut across traditional boundaries which separate the work of various governmental agencies and across geographical borders as well.The introduction of cross- sectoral discussions in this year's CSEP will allow delegates to exchange ideas in a broader way. We need a fresh approach in our response to challenges which respect neither departmental nor geographical divisions.
The 9th CSEP will build on the good progress that has been made in previous years. I wish all the participants not only a productive session but one that is also enjoyable and intellectually satisfying.
Thank you.
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