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Release
Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister‎ Lee Hsien Loong

June 3, 2016

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met today with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.‎  The secretary and the prime minister affirmed the long standing security partnership between the United States and Singapore. They discussed a range of issues related to mutual security interests, including cooperation on maritime security and countering violent extremism from terrorist organizations such as ISIL. The secretary thanked the prime minister for facilitating elements of the U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific, including hosting littoral combat ships and rotational P-8 Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.

They also discussed the need for a principled, networked regional security architecture, rooted in intensive cooperation and a shared, enduring interest in regional stability.

With regard to the South China Sea, the two reaffirmed the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.  The secretary noted the upcoming UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal ruling on the Philippines-China claims will be binding on both parties.

The secretary also expressed appreciation for Singapore's noteworthy role in supporting the counter-ISIL coalition and in leading the counter-piracy task force in the Gulf of Aden for the fourth time‎.

Secretary Carter thanked the prime minister for their close partnership, and said he looks forward to seeing Prime Minister Loong during his visit to Washington in August.