MFA Spokesman's Comments on Thai MFA's decision to suspend the ThailandSingapore CSEP*, cancel the CSEP Coordinating Meeting scheduled from 2931 Jan 07, and rescind invitation to Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to attend CSEP

In response to media queries, the MFA Spokesman said:

"We regret that the Thai Government has decided to suspend the SingaporeThailand Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP), cancel the CSEP Coordinating Meeting scheduled to take place in Bangkok from 2931 January 2007, and rescind the invitation to Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to attend the CSEP meeting. The Singapore Government notes that the position taken by the Thai Government is a response to the recent private visit of Dr Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Singapore Government hopes that Thailand can appreciate Singapore's position on the visit. The Thai Government did not notify us that Dr Thaksin has been charged for any offence. There is also no restriction on where he can travel to. He had chosen to make a visit to Singapore on his own. Dr Thaksin had asked to meet Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jayakumar, who is an old friend. It was purely a social and private meeting. No official calls or meetings were arranged. Thai nationals do not require visas to visit Singapore. There is no reason for Singapore to turn Dr Thaksin away. Prior to Singapore, Dr Thaksin had also visited several other countries without any protest by the Thai Government.

We are therefore saddened that the Thai Government has chosen to take this course of action. We hope Thailand will respect Singapore's position as that of a sovereign country. We value the longstanding friendly relations with Thailand."

* The SingaporeThailand Civil Service Exchange Programme, established since 1998, is a forum that promotes closer contact and enhances bilateral cooperation between the various government agencies of both countries.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

16 JANUARY 2007