For immediate release

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE PRESS STATEMENT

VISIT BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND COORDINATING MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY TEO CHEE HEAN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND 22 – 29 MARCH 2018

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean who is currently in London, United Kingdom (UK), met his counterpart UK Minister for the and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster David Lidington on 22 March 2018. He also had meetings with Secretary of State for Defence , and Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Sam Gyimah and several UK Parliamentarians.

During his meeting with Chancellor Lidington, both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and multifaceted relations between Singapore and the UK. They had a wide-ranging discussion on international developments as well as developments in Asia and Europe and discussed areas of possible cooperation, including in finance, economic development and security. At DPM Teo’s meeting with Secretary Williamson, they discussed the UK’s defence cooperation with Singapore and the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which will commemorate its 50th anniversary in 2021.1 Over lunch, DPM Teo and Minister Gyimah discussed innovation and entrepreneurship, especially areas in which both sides can deepen their cooperation.

DPM Teo also had breakfast with business leaders, to exchange views on as well as challenges and opportunities in the current global business environment. DPM was also hosted to lunch by the think-tank Policy Exchange with senior officials, academics and thought leaders during which they exchanged views on recent global developments.

DPM Teo joined 5000 overseas Singaporeans at Singapore Day on 24 March 2018. DPM Teo will continue to Manchester on 25 March.

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1 The countries in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) comprise the Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE SINGAPORE 25 MARCH 2018