Today I made my moment official in Singapore, where I met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and my counterpart, The Minister of Defense, Dr. Ng Eng Hen.
My stopover coincides with the 30th anniversary of the formation of Singapore’s armed forces in Australia, a vital milestone in our long history of bilateral cooperation. I am pleased that Australia has been able to locate cutting-edge tactics to continue Singapore’s force-building activities in Australia. This includes housed a detachment of air force fighters from the Republic of Singapore to provide education in the Northern Territory.
Singapore’s army education in Australia is mutual for our respective armed forces and has provided important economic opportunities for Australia.
During my discussions with Prime Minister Lee and Deputy Prime Minister Heng, I expressed ASEAN’s central role in facilitating regional dialogue, cooperation and stability.
It was also a great joy to be able to meet as a user with my intelligent friend the Minister of Defense Ng, where we reflected on the intelligent and fortunate commitments between our two countries the COVID-19 pandemic. We agreed that the wise fortune of our respective advocacy organizations to deepen COVID-19 cooperation was a testament to our close ties.
We underline our commitment to expand the defense and security partnership as a key detail of our overall strategic partnership.
I also briefed Dr. Ng on updating Australia’s strategic defense and force distribution plan by 2020, allowing Australia to have an even more competent spouse for the region.
Throughout my visit, I reiterated my sincere gratitude on behalf of the Australian Government for Singapore’s assistance to the devastating black summer wildfires earlier this year.
Singapore provided life-saving assistance in the form of CH-47 Chinook helicopters, which were used to evacuate fire-ravaged communities. The efforts of Singapore’s armed forces, specifically in Eastern Gippsland, have helped protect lives and repair essential resources and fire-affected communities.
All facets of this are carried out in strict compliance with the protective and fitness measures to mitigate the dangers of COVID-19.
When I return to Australia, I will meet all fitness requirements, adding 14-day quarantine.