Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark co-chaired the second Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers' Meeting earlier today in New Zealand.
 
During the meeting, Dr Ng and Minister Mark agreed to strengthen defence cooperation bilaterally, under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). Both Ministers also discussed key international and regional security issues.
 
Following the meeting, both Ministers released a Joint Statement that noted the importance of the FPDA and the ADMM-Plus in the regional security architecture. Dr Ng also expressed appreciation for Minister Mark's strong support for the SAF's training in New Zealand and for Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship.
 
The annual Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers' Meeting underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand. Both armed forces have extensive interactions, such as high-level visits and professional exchanges. These mutually beneficial interactions have enhanced the interoperability and people-to-people ties between personnel of both armed forces.