Singapore Highlights Strait Of Hormuz During Balakrishnan’s Gulf Visit
By Anas Abu Hassan
SINGAPORE, May 6 (Bernama) -- Singapore has stressed the importance of upholding the right of unimpeded transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz during the working visit of Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the Gulf region from May 2 to 5.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry (MFA) said Balakrishnan visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, where he also reaffirmed Singapore's longstanding ties with Gulf partners.
During the visit, the minister also discussed areas of cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
In the UAE, Balakrishnan discussed opportunities to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership in areas such as trade and investment, supply chain resilience, energy, the digital economy, and civil defence.
He met UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan; Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company managing director and Group CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber in Abu Dhabi; as well as Foreign Trade Minister Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai.
In Oman, he discussed a range of bilateral issues, including efforts to deepen cooperation in areas such as logistics, energy security, maritime governance, and the digital economy, during a meeting with Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Hamood Al Busaidi and Royal Office Minister General Sultan Mohammed Al Nomani.
In Saudi Arabia, Balakrishnan and his counterpart, Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, reaffirmed the importance of the existing Strategic Partnership and discussed furthering ties in trade and investment, energy security, logistics, and connectivity.
In Qatar, Balakrishnan met Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud Abdulrahman Al Thani, as both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in economic resilience, defence, and food and energy security, the statement said.
-- BERNAMA
