State Banquet Hosted in Honour of Governor-General of New Zealand

Your Excellency, Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand,

Lady Susan Satyanand,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with much pleasure that I welcome Your Excellency and Lady Susan on your first State Visit to Singapore.  My wife and I still fondly remember our visit to your beautiful and picturesque country – the exceptional hospitality extended to us, and the warmth and friendship shown by you and your government during our visit.  Likewise, I wish you and your delegation members will have a pleasant and memorable stay in Singapore.      

2  Your Excellency, before you assumed the high office of Governor-General, you had a distinguished career in the legal profession. Your appointment as the 19th Governor-General of New Zealand in August 2006 is particularly significant given the fact that you are New Zealand’s first Governor-General of Asian descent.  It reflects the sense of solidarity of the different peoples who make up the society that is New Zealand.  In you, New Zealand has not only a distinguished and personable leader, but also the most influential expression of New Zealand’s multi-racial character. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3  During our discussions this morning, Sir Anand and I reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between our two countries.  New Zealand has been a close and trusted friend of Singapore.  The enduring ties between Singapore and New Zealand go a long way back in the history of our two countries.  New Zealand was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore when we gained independence in 1965.  While most of the British troops had withdrawn from Singapore by 1971 and Australian ground forces exited in 1974, it was the troops from New Zealand that remained in Singapore until 1989.  New Zealand’s friendship and support during a difficult time in our history is deeply embedded in our memory.
 
4  Over the years, the links between our countries have grown even stronger and more broad-based.  Beyond the longstanding defence cooperation  with  New Zealand, underscored by the signing of the Singapore-New Zealand Arrangement on Defence Cooperation in May last year by our Defence Ministers,  our armed forces enjoy excellent working relations with their New Zealand counterparts. A deep friendship has been fostered through regular bilateral defence interactions, including joint exercises in both New Zealand and Singapore.  We have also worked closely together in international security operations, such as in the former East Timor, and currently, in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. We also cooperate closely with New Zealand in the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and in multilateral security fora such as the ASEAN Regional Forum. Above all, Singapore is grateful for the opportunity to conduct our annual artillery live-firing exercises in Waiouru since 1997.

5  We see in New Zealand an important and growing strategic partner.  In particular, we welcome New Zealand’s active engagement with Southeast Asia and ASEAN, and New Zealand’s commitment to the East Asia Summit. The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, or AANZFTA, which came into effect in January this year, will lead to stronger and enhanced trade relations.  Bringing together a market of more than 600 million people and a combined GDP of around US$2.5 trillion, the benefits of the AANZFTA will be far-reaching.  We believe New Zealand has many important contributions to make towards the furtherance of regional cooperation for our mutual prosperity.

6  As small countries with a common strategic outlook, we have shown unwavering commitment to work together to enhance regional cooperation and trade liberalisation.  The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP), which came into effect in 2001, was Singapore’s first bilateral free trade agreement and New Zealand’s second bilateral free trade agreement, after Australia.  As founding members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which spans Asia, the Pacific and Latin America, we have provided a vital mechanism for wider Asia-Pacific economic integration, which should serve as an important building block for a possible Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific in the future. 

Your Excellency,

7  We share a common past and heritage.  Our system of administration of justice is steeped in the traditions of the Common Law.  Our parliamentary democracies are fashioned after the Westminster model.  We share many common goals and aspirations.  We are also both multi-cultural countries with a keen commitment to maintaining inter-faith and inter-racial harmony.  In addition, the strong people-to-people ties that exist between our two countries are evident in the presence of New Zealanders in Singapore as are Singaporeans in New Zealand.

8  Although the relationship between our leaders has traditionally been warm and strong, I am confident the excellent bonds between our countries will be further strengthened by regular exchange of high-level visits.  I am happy to learn that shortly after your State Visit, our Foreign Minister George Yeo will be making an official visit to New Zealand in June.  In September this year, we look forward to welcoming Prime Minister John Key on his official visit to Singapore.  All such exchanges will enhance the existing strong ties of mutual friendship, respect and cooperation that mark our relations.

Distinguished guests,

It now gives me great pleasure to invite you to rise and join me in a toast to:

• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of New Zealand;

• The good health and success of Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Susan Satyanand;

• The continued peace and prosperity of New Zealand and her people; and

• The enduring friendship and goodwill between our two countries and people.