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TEL AVIV, Israel : Israel has expressed interest in partnering Singapore in developing long-term solutions for the supply of water and clean energy.
This was a topic discussed between Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and Israeli Vice-Premier Shimon Peres on the second day of Mr Yeo's visit to Israel.
Following his meeting with Mr Peres, Mr Yeo said Israel was keen to join hands with Singapore in developing water resources and nanotechnology.
Mr Yeo added that despite Israel's complicated external environment and domestic political division, its real economy was doing very well. And both countries should find ways to work together.
Mr Peres said, "In the coming 20 years, the most important issues would be the production of water, alternative oil and emergence of new technologies. Other than these three domains which are positive and constructive, we have to continue our good relations and very good cooperation."
Vice-Premier Peres also hopes to see enhanced links between Israel and Singapore, because, as he puts it, though Israel and Singapore are small, the two can be great together.
Mr Peres said, "Singapore is a model for many small countries. (It) can escape the smallness not by acts of power, not by any negative approaches, but by inviting modern opportunities, be rational, scientific and technological..."
Earlier, Mr Yeo also signed a pact with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to spur more joint projects in the fields of culture, media exchange and sports development.
Last year, bilateral trade between Singapore and Israel amounted to some S$1.4 billion and both countries are keen to take economic cooperation further.
Singapore companies can tap on Israel's strength in high technology, while Israeli firms can use Singapore as a platform to take advantage of Asia's growth.
Singapore is also developing more interest in the Middle East.
Mr Yeo met Professor Yossi Kosterner from Moshe Dayan Centre, who is an expert on Saudi Arabia, to find out what he had to say about the kingdom's role in the region and its push for peace in the Middle East.
Mr Yeo said, "We are becoming more engaged in the Middle East, our companies are going there, our political links are growing, it's important for us to understand the internal dynamics, so that we can make the right decisions."
Mr Yeo is expected to meet Israeli business leaders at a networking event on Tuesday, to forge closer business tie-ups. - CNA/ms
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