Joint Statement on the Third United States-Singapore Strategic Partnership Dialogue
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 13, 2015
Following is the text of a joint statement by the United States and Singapore issued on February 13, in Washington, D.C.
Begin text:
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Mr. Chee Wee Kiong and United States Assistant Secretary of
State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mr. Daniel Russel met in Washington on February 13, 2015 to co-chair the third
United States - Singapore Strategic Partnership Dialogue. The dialogue serves to enhance the excellent bilateral
cooperation and strategic partnership between the United States and Singapore. The co-chairs, in the spirit of equal
partnership, mutual respect and desire to promote close ties, reviewed the current initiatives undertaken between the
two countries and considered new areas to expand cooperation in bilateral relations. They also exchanged perspectives on
regional and global matters of mutual interest.
Both sides affirmed their common interests on economic, investment, and trade issues. They noted the successful
implementation of the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which has now been in force for more than a decade. The
co-chairs discussed the strategic importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and renewed their commitment to achieving
a high-standard agreement that will contribute to establishing an open and inclusive trade and investment framework in
the Asia-Pacific. Both sides also recommitted to supporting important regional economic institutions like the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The co-chairs noted the successful implementation of the Singapore-U.S. Third Country Training Program (TCTP), which
just celebrated its third anniversary. The Singapore-U.S. TCTP has trained over 400 officials from Southeast Asia in a
range of areas, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, trade facilitation, energy efficiency, urban
transport planning, hydrology, and road management. Both sides committed to renew the bilateral memorandum of
understanding governing the TCTP to steadily increase offerings under this successful program, including potential new
training areas such as security and the environment.
The co-chairs also welcomed the 10th anniversary of the bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement, which underpins a
robust bilateral defense and security partnership that has contributed to enhancing regional peace and stability. The
co-chairs recognized the ongoing broad bilateral cooperation across the range of military and non-military security
issues, including the establishment of a Law Enforcement and Homeland Security and Safety Dialogue. Both sides noted the
opportunities to increase cooperation on cyber-security. The co-chairs also noted a mutual desire to work to counter
violent extremism in all its forms, having partnered together on the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. Singapore and the
United States will continue to work with the United Nations and other partners to address the challenges posed by
violent extremism and foreign terrorist fighters.
The co-chairs discussed recent developments in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and regional institutions such as the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Both sides
shared ideas to use these institutions to manage challenges facing the region including water management, the
environment, climate change, and regional stability. They affirmed the importance of regional peace and stability,
maritime and aviation security, freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as unimpeded, lawful commerce.
They also emphasized the importance for all countries in the region to resolve their disputes by peaceful means in
accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They urged all
parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, including land reclamation, in the South China Sea.
They continued to encourage ASEAN Member States and China to expeditiously work toward the early conclusion of the Code
of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), to fully and effectively implement the DOC, particularly articles IV and V, and
urged all parties to pursue their claims peacefully and in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.
Both sides welcomed the high-level exchanges between the two countries. These include the visits to the United States by
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in July 2014, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam in
December 2014, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam in May 2014, Minister for Defence Ng Eng
Hen in April 2014, and the Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat in January 2014. Both sides also looked forward to an
increased level of interaction in the year ahead, particularly in the light of Singapore’s 50th anniversary of
independence.
ENDS