JOINT STATEMENT

 

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

AND

DATO’ SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF MALAYSIA

 

1. Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein met in Singapore on 2 May 2021.

2. The two Ministers expressed satisfaction that despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral relations and cooperation remained intact and strong, as demonstrated by the uninterrupted movement of goods between both countries.

3. The two Ministers also had constructive discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed to work towards the resumption of essential cross-border travel in a gradual and safe manner.

4. To this end, the two Ministers agreed on the Procedures and Entry Requirements for Death and Critically Ill Emergency Visits between Singapore and Malaysia. This agreement provides a framework to facilitate travel between the two countries for compassionate and emergency reasons. Details of the procedures and entry requirements will be released by the respective authorities of each country, namely the Department of Immigration of Malaysia and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. The arrangement will be implemented from 17 May 2021 onwards.

5. The two Ministers also welcomed the agreement reached by the Singapore Smart Nation and Digital Government Office and the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on the mutual technical verification of health certificates issued in Singapore and Malaysia.

6. The two Ministers agreed that Singapore and Malaysia would continue to make progress on their respective national vaccination programmes to vaccinate long-term residents, including Malaysians residing in Singapore, and Singaporeans residing in Malaysia.

7. The two Ministers agreed to continue discussions on further border re-opening measures, which should be premised on the COVID-19 situation in both countries, and the health and safety of both peoples.

8. The two Ministers welcomed the resumption of in-person official exchanges between both sides, following Minister Balakrishnan’s visit to Kuala Lumpur in March 2021 and Minister Hishammuddin’s visit to Singapore in May 2021. The two Ministers agreed on the importance of convening the 10^th  Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore later this year, once the pandemic situation improves.