Singapore Calls For Diplomacy, Good-faith Talks On West Asia Conflict

By Anas Abu Hassan

SINGAPORE, May 12 (Bernama) -- Singapore has called for diplomacy and good-faith negotiations to resolve the conflict in West Asia, stressing that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to global trade and energy security.

Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan underscored these points in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart  Dr Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

"I expressed Singapore’s hope for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the current conflict in the Middle East.

"It is vital for all parties to engage in negotiations in good faith to secure a durable resolution," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Balakrishnan said they also shared views on the long-term future of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Singapore’s consistent position is that all states should enjoy unimpeded right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation as set forth by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and customary international law.

"The full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is critical to regional stability, global energy security and international trade," he added.

Balakrishnan also stressed the importance of Iran continuing to meet its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to ensure its nuclear programme remains for peaceful purposes.

-- BERNAMA