*EPF101 06/11/01
Text: Bush Meets With Singapore Prime Minister
(Bush and Goh Chok Tong back free trade agreement) (410)

President George Bush met with Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the White House June 11.

According to a White House statement, the two leaders discussed the status of negotiations between the United States and Singapore on a bilateral free trade agreement.

They will review progress on the talks when they meet again at the APEC meeting in Shanghai this October, the statement said.

"Both sides remain committed to attaining a world-class agreement that reinforces their strong commercial and political ties as soon as possible," the White House statement said.

Following is the text of the statement on the meeting by the White House press secretary:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

June 11, 2001

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Meeting with Prime Minister Goh of Singapore

The President and the National Security Advisor met with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore at the White House this morning to reaffirm the importance and vitality of U.S.-Singapore relations. The United States and Singapore have a robust defense partnership which helps contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Economic ties are also strong. Singapore is the first Asian country with which the United States is negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA). The President and the Prime Minister discussed the status of the U.S.-Singapore FTA negotiations and agreed to review progress again when they meet at APEC this October. Both sides remain committed to attaining a world-class agreement that reinforces their strong commercial and political ties as soon as possible.

President Bush and Prime Minister Goh discussed a range of regional security issues. Both expressed strong support for Indonesia's efforts to move toward a more democratic society and market-oriented economy. They further reaffirmed support for Indonesia's territorial integrity. The United States and Singapore share the hope that Indonesia will achieve a peaceful, constitutional and timely resolution to the current political crisis in a way that promotes national reconciliation and effective governance.

The President and the Prime Minister expressed strong support for ASEAN, as both a pillar of regional stability and an area of economic vibrancy. The United States looks forward to strengthening cooperation and reinvigorating the U.S.-ASEAN partnership.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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