SINGAPORE Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said he had an open and candid discussion with Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali in Singapore last night.

“Had a good meeting of minds over dinner with Malaysian Minister of Economic Affairs Dato’ Seri Azmin Ali this evening,” said Dr Balakrishnan in a Facebook post.

“We had an open and candid discussion of the issues currently confronting us. We reaffirmed that there are far more opportunities for Malaysia and Singapore to work together, especially at this time of global economic transformation,” he added.

Azmin is in Singapore for talks on bilateral issues despite the two nations agreeing to postpone a joint ministerial committee meeting on Iskandar after Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian visited the Malaysian vessel Pedoman, which the island republic claimed was in Singapore waters.

Azmin’s meeting with Balakrishnan comes amid an airspace and maritime dispute between Singapore and Malaysia.

Azmin also tweeted about his meeting with Balakrishnan, saying that it was in the interest of both Singapore and Malaysia for both countries to maintain strong ties.

“We are each other’s closest neighbour connected by deep historical ties and family bonds. Let’s work things out for the well-being and future of our people,” Azmin said in a Twitter post.

In a related development, Balakrishnan will make a ministerial statement on Singapore-Malaysia relations today when the Singapore Parliament sits for the first time this year.

Nine MPs have tabled questions on the matter. – January 14, 2019.