MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PROF S JAYAKUMAR Minister for Foreign Affairs

External Backdrop

1. The regional economic crisis has underscored our strengths and helped deepen our relations with major powers. But it has also raised tension levels and triggered political changes in Southeast Asia with far-reaching reverberations. Unfolding developments in Indonesia will preoccupy the entire region for many years. ASEAN will take time to recover its international standing.

2. Fortunately, relations among the major powers, in particular, the US, China and Japan, are stable. This has helped to maintain a degree of equilibrium in our region. But latent instabilities could alter the dynamics of their relationships. The Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, Kashmir and the Taiwan Strait remain potential flashpoints.

Key Foreign Policy Issues for Singapore's Future

3. Singapore's future is inextricably linked with that of Southeast Asia. A strong and vibrant ASEAN strengthens the region, creating optimal conditions for economic recovery and growth. We remain committed to ASEAN and will work with other members to help the organisation meet new challenges. Bilateral relations with all ASEAN countries, in particular our neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, will continue to be a priority. Good relations, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, will benefit both partners.

4. The ASEAN Regional Forum is an important vehicle to supplement our bilateral relations with the major powers. The ARF helps keep major powers engaged in the region in a way that promotes peace and stability for all. We will work with other ARF members to move the process forward at a pace that all are comfortable with.

5. Globalisation will pose new foreign policy challenges as countries become increasingly linked by information technology. It has encouraged protectionist sentiments, led to questioning of an open multilateral trading system and accelerated trends towards regionalism. In addition, changes in a globalised world will occur more suddenly without clear signals or much lead time. We need more sensitive and accurate early warning systems, and a more nimble foreign policy apparatus.

6. The post-Cold War global configuration of power is still evolving. Major powers are tentatively exploring new configurations among themselves and with regional states. The outlines of these emerging patterns and events such as the war in Kosovo have raised fundamental questions about the future development of international law and the role of international organisations such as the United Nations. How these affect the operating environment in Southeast Asia will require careful monitoring.

7. Singapore will participate actively and responsibly in the United Nations and other international organisations to pursue our objective of a peaceful and stable world. We are seeking election to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term beginning in the year 2001. If elected, we will help strengthen the United Nations Security Council's primary role in maintaining international peace and stability.

8. Recognising our obligations to the international community, Singapore will share our development experience through technical assistance under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.