Minister for Defence Meets with US Secretary of Defense James Mattis

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen had a bilateral meeting with the new United States (US) Secretary of Defense James Mattis today on the sidelines of the 53rd Munich Security Conference (MSC). This is the first time Dr Ng is meeting Secretary Mattis.

Both sides reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and the US. Secretary Mattis expressed appreciation for Singapore's insights into regional security issues, support for the US' presence in the Asia-Pacific, and contributions to the US-led counter-ISIS coalition. Dr Ng shared that he had worked closely with Mattis' predecessors, and looked forward to working with him to further bilateral cooperation between both defence establishments. The two also discussed the foreign policy and security priorities of the new US administration, particularly the importance of the US' engagement of the Asia-Pacific. 

Dr Ng is on a three-day visit to Munich to attend the MSC from 17 to 19 February 2017.