ID :
29140
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 18:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/29140
The shortlink copeid
OUTSTANDING ISSUES WON'T AFFECT M'SIA-S'PORE TIES
KULAIJAYA (Malaysia), Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore will not allow outstanding issues to hinder efforts at forging closer bilateral ties, said Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim Saturday.
He said he and his Singapore counterpart, George Yeo, would continue to
expand the bilateral ties and find ways so that economic and diplomatic ties
between the two neighbouring countries could be further strengthened.
"Both of us will not allow the outstanding issues (between Malaysia and
Singapore) to become obstacles and together find ways of improving ties and
comradesip," he told reporters on the last day of the 9th Annual Friendly Games
between the staff of Wisma Putra (Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the
Singapore Foreign Ministry, here.
Rais said a positive approach was the best way in handling bilateral ties
between Malaysia and Singapore.
Meanwhile Yeo, who was also present during the media conference, said
Singapore shared Rais's approaches of finding win-win solutions towards
bilateral relation, working together and respecting each other's sensitivities.
"Of course as foreign minister, we have to defend our own national
interest, but it makes a big difference if there is trust, goodwill and mutual
affection towards each other, because that enables us to find creative ways to
evolve solutions which are mutually beneficial to us," he said.
Cooperation within Asean, especially between Malaysia and Singapore,
which
according to him, was the single most important relationship in the regional
grouping, had become more pertinent as both economies were affected by the
global economic slowdown.
"Where we can work together to keep each other's economy moving and
thriving, we should try to do so," he said.
On Najib Tun Razak becoming Malaysia's next Prime Minister in
March and its impact on Kuala Lumpur's foreign policy, Yeo believed, bilateral
relationship between them would remain very good and forward looking.
He said he and his Singapore counterpart, George Yeo, would continue to
expand the bilateral ties and find ways so that economic and diplomatic ties
between the two neighbouring countries could be further strengthened.
"Both of us will not allow the outstanding issues (between Malaysia and
Singapore) to become obstacles and together find ways of improving ties and
comradesip," he told reporters on the last day of the 9th Annual Friendly Games
between the staff of Wisma Putra (Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the
Singapore Foreign Ministry, here.
Rais said a positive approach was the best way in handling bilateral ties
between Malaysia and Singapore.
Meanwhile Yeo, who was also present during the media conference, said
Singapore shared Rais's approaches of finding win-win solutions towards
bilateral relation, working together and respecting each other's sensitivities.
"Of course as foreign minister, we have to defend our own national
interest, but it makes a big difference if there is trust, goodwill and mutual
affection towards each other, because that enables us to find creative ways to
evolve solutions which are mutually beneficial to us," he said.
Cooperation within Asean, especially between Malaysia and Singapore,
which
according to him, was the single most important relationship in the regional
grouping, had become more pertinent as both economies were affected by the
global economic slowdown.
"Where we can work together to keep each other's economy moving and
thriving, we should try to do so," he said.
On Najib Tun Razak becoming Malaysia's next Prime Minister in
March and its impact on Kuala Lumpur's foreign policy, Yeo believed, bilateral
relationship between them would remain very good and forward looking.
