Welcome Remarks by then Singapore Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed

Programme | Co-Chair's Statement | Welcome Remarks by then Singapore Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed | Press Statement | Update on the AMED Regional Training Centres

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE ASIA-MIDDLE EAST DIALOGUE (AMED) WORKING GROUP ON SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND MEDIA (SESCEM) ISSUES

WELCOME REMARKS AND TOAST FOR DINNER TO BE HOSTED BY MOS ON 28 NOV 05, 7.45PM FOR 8PM, RANG MAHAL RESTAURANT, LEVEL 3, PAN PACIFIC HOTEL, SINGAPORE

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. 

                   Many of you are here at your second AMED event.  Thank you for continuing to support the AMED process.  For those of you who are participating in AMED activities for the first time, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you not only for joining the AMED family, but also to enjoy the warm hospitality of Singapore.  

2                 AMED makes possible the closer engagement between Asia and the Middle East.  More importantly, it aims to help produce concrete collaborative outcomes between our two regions.  The first Working Group meeting today has already begun to bear some fruit of cross-regional cooperation. I was glad to learn that the Working Group has endorsed a proposal to establish AMED regional training centres in the Middle East.  This endorsement is significant.

3                 The AMED training centres reflect our common determination to improve the quality of our respective labour forces. It demonstrates our common interest in working towards greater economic prosperity and social development for our peoples.  It is also a manifestation of the mutual desire to work together and combine the strengths of our two regions in order to help our countries forge ahead towards greater peace, stability and progress. 

4                 I am confident that tomorrow's discussions will be equally substantive and productive.  However, as you have all worked very hard today, it is now time to provide some nourishment for our bodies and minds.

5                 This evening's cuisine is South Asian.  But it is served in a Southeast Asian setting with friends from the Middle East, Central Asia and East Asia.  This is a symbol of the amity between our regions and augurs well for the success of the Asia-Middle East partnership.

6                 Before we commence dinner proper, please join me in a toast to the continued friendship and the success of all AMED countries.

(Please raise glass) 

7                 I hope that you will enjoy the evening.  Thank you.

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