Singapore foreign minister arrives April 15

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will be in the country on April 15 to April 17 as the Philippines and Singapore commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

This will be Balakrishnan’s second official visit to the country. He made his introductory visit to the Philippines on June 13, 2017.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo will discuss with his counterpart “ways to further strengthen Philippines-Singapore relations, as well as to exchange views on regional and international developments,” according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Balakrishnan’s visit is also expected to build on the gains of the 6th informal consultations on the Philippine-Singapore Action Plan held last February and “plan for future engagements as relations between the two countries continue to deepen,” added the DFA.

Scheduled calls

During his visit, Singapore’s chief diplomat will also call on President Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

He will also meet National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and members of the House of Representatives’ committee on foreign affairs.

Balakrishnan will also meet the Philippine business community during an engagement with the Makati Business Club.

He is also scheduled to visit New Clark City in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone. He will also visit SIA Engineering (Philippines) and Clark International Airport.

The two Southeast Asian neighbors will celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations next month.

The DFA said the Philippines and Singapore “enjoy more than five decades of multi-faceted engagement in the areas of defense and security, trade and investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.” INQ