Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met his counterparts on the sidelines of the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) today, including the Defence Ministers from France, Philippines, New Zealand, Japan and Cambodia.

Dr Ng met French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. During the meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed the strong and broad-based bilateral defence relations, as well as the commitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Dr Ng also expressed appreciation for France's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training at Cazaux Air Base since 1998.

Dr Ng met with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence ties and discussed potential areas of cooperation between both defence establishments. Both Ministers exchanged views on regional security developments.  

During the call with New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC, both Ministers reaffirmed the close and longstanding bilateral defence ties. Both Ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), and exchanged views on regional security developments.

During the call with Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship. They discussed on bilateral cooperation, and multilateral cooperation on the ADMM-Plus.

Dr Ng met Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha at the Shangri-La Hotel this afternoon. During the meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Cambodia, underscored the commitment to cooperate closely on the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.

In addition, Dr Ng met the Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Biair, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, the Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, and the United States Congressional Delegation led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), which included Christopher Coons (D-Delaware) and Laphonza Butler (D-California).