ORDINARY MEETINGS ON BILATERAL ISSUES
The JS-SEZ settlement has been within the works for a yr and officers from either side have reached an settlement, in what Anwar had described on Tuesday as a novel and uncommon initiative between two nations working as a staff.
Going ahead, Anwar mentioned he and Wong additionally agreed to satisfy “on a quarterly foundation” to evaluation progress in resolving excellent bilateral points between the 2 nations. These embrace areas reminiscent of water provide, airspace administration and maritime borders.
Wong mentioned in Tuesday’s closing interview that the 2 sides had made “some progress” on these advanced points however had “understandably” not reached a decision, citing variations of opinion.
“So each Prime Minister Anwar and I are absolutely dedicated to persevering with the engagement and the discussions, and hopefully with the push from the prime ministers, with the continued commitments that we’ve and the continued dialogue, we will see some progress by upcoming leaders’ retreat on all three bilateral points,” he mentioned.
Wong mentioned the leaders had been additionally drawing up plans for quarterly conferences, with ample alternative to satisfy main as much as the following leaders’ retreat in Singapore later this yr.
“We are discussing some platforms the place we may do that, together with probably the Johor-Singapore SEZ,” he mentioned.
“So, we are going to discover some acceptable milestones to satisfy and, once we do, we will use these alternatives to take inventory of discussions on excellent bilateral points and be certain that we proceed to make progress on this regard.”
Wong mentioned he had had a number of alternatives – together with on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and multilateral boards – to satisfy Anwar and that each had constructed a “good friendship” with a relationship based mostly on mutual belief and on collaboration. comprehension.
“So, this units the tone for the general relationship – the connection between ministers and officers – and likewise for our collaboration on bilateral points,” he mentioned.
“I might say we’ve very strong foundations, beginning with the management degree. And among the many ministers, a lot of them have interacted with one another on quite a few events, together with final night time and at present on the leaders’ retreat.”
Wong added that he additionally prompt that either side resume the “civil service video games” they held as a convention.
“So it is not all the time about enterprise, it is not all the time about officers getting collectively to speak about enterprise or negotiate and to interact on troublesome points,” he mentioned.
“But even on a casual degree, there is a chance for us to get collectively, calm down and get to know one another and we hope that these exchanges can proceed to occur in any respect ranges.”
