MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MR WONG KAN SENG Minister for Foreign Affairs

The end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union have brought about rapid and dramatic changes in international relationships. Singapore must adapt to these changes and promote our interests abroad by adopting an increasingly international outlook. Greater demands will be placed on our foreign policy, which must be flexible, robust and proactive.

2. The successful liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation by the multinational coalition has enhanced the prestige and influence of the United Nations. The UN has played a constructive role in resolving regional conflicts, as in Angola and Cambodia. Singapore supports a strong UN, and the UN's efforts to preserve law and order and settle disputes peacefully. We will seek ways to enhance the security of small states and promote regional stability.

3. Singapore is participating in UN peacekeeping operations at the Iraq-Kuwait border and in Angola. We will continue to discharge our obligations as a responsible member of the international community of nations.

4. Human resource development is vital if developing countries are to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty and ignorance. We will increase technical assistance to developing countries through the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

5. ASEAN remains a cornerstone of our foreign policy. We will continue to support ASEAN and ensure that the organisation remains a force for regional stability and economic progress. In a few weeks' time, Singapore will host the Fourth ASEAN Summit. The Summit will be a significant opportunity to give ASEAN clear objectives and a fresh impetus.

6. The creation of the Single European Market, the larger European Economic Area, and the North American Free Trade Area compel us to strengthen cooperation within ASEAN, and in the wider Asia-Pacific with our major trading partners - the United States, the European Community and Japan.

7. In South Africa, apartheid is being irreversibly dismantled. Singapore will progressively develop economic ties with South Africa. With other Commonwealth countries, we have begun to remove sanctions against South Africa.

8. The Cambodian peace agreement was signed in Paris in October 1990. We have begun to normalise relations with Vietnam. We expect to find many areas of mutual interest and cooperation with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

9. We live in an increasingly interdependent world. As a small country whose survival depends on access to the whole world, we must deepen and strengthen relations with our old friends, and develop relations with other countries friendly towards us.