Joint Statement on the Meeting between PM Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and PM Goh Chok Tong

Singapore Government Press Release

Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

STATEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE MEETING BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA AND PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG

His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is in Singapore on an Official Visit from 26–28 October 2003, at the invitation of Mr Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.

At their meeting on 27 October, the two Prime Ministers agreed that there was great potential for both countries to develop further their bilateral relationship. The two Prime Ministers also shared the view that Bahrain and Singapore could be two nodes working together to facilitate cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and ASEAN countries.

In this regard, the two leaders agreed on the following:

His Highness and Prime Minister Goh agreed that the two countries should enter into negotiations to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). They noted that the FTA would also have a catalytic effect in encouraging further economic cooperation between the two regions.

Both sides will re-activate the Bahrain-Singapore Joint Committee, to be renamed the Economic Committee, which was established under the Bahrain-Singapore Economic Agreement in 1979.

To commence negotiations on the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.

To encourage high-level Ministerial visits and visits from private sector delegations.

Both sides agreed to share their experiences in economic development, in particular, in the services and financial sectors. They agreed to send specialist delegations consisting of businessmen and officials to learn from each other's experiences and to discuss ways to promote economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Both leaders also discussed international and regional issues. They reiterated their strong stand against international terrorism. In this regard, they agreed to regularly exchange information on developments in their regions.

On the situation in Iraq, they stressed the importance of the international community's support for Iraq’s reconstruction and expressed the hope for the early integration of Iraq into the international community.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the Protection and Promotion of Investments. Prime Minister Goh accepted an invitation from His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to visit Bahrain in 2004.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

27 OCTOBER 2003