Singapore, Israel set to take bilateral ties to new level
By Channel NewsAsia's Wong Siew Ying in Jerusalem | Posted: 29 April 2007 2057 hrs

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JERUSALEM: The long-standing ties between Singapore and Israel are set to get warmer, bolstered by more collaboration on several fronts.

The two sides are set to sign an agreement to expand the scope of cooperation beyond defence.

This will see greater exchanges in culture and education and improve economic links.

Meanwhile some 12 companies - led by IE Singapore - will touch base with Israeli firms in the technology and research sector over the next few days, in search of new business partnerships.

Beyond Singapore-Israeli ties, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo expressed his hopes that a peace agreement could be reached in the Middle East.

Mr Yeo is in Israel at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni.

Visiting the Yad Vashem Museum, Mr Yeo spoke of the lessons to be drawn from history.

He said: "I found the memorial powerful in the way it tried to document the many individual lives who were snuffed out for no reason other than because of their culture, their religion, their origins. And unfortunately these events recur again and again as if we never learn. But by laying the wreath there, it's an important acknowledgement of this terrible event that happened in the 20th century and a reminder to all of us that peace is precious, peace got to be fought for. It's not something that comes about naturally."

The hall of names at the museum is a grim reminder of the six million lives that were lost in the Second World War.

Jewish men, women and children were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust.

Mr Yeo also toured the Western Wall, a site considered sacred to Christians and Muslims.

Mr Yeo said there are many conflicting claims to the importance of the Western Wall and it is not possible for anyone to claim exclusivity to it.

He also established Singapore's position on the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Mr Yeo said: "We support the rights of the Palestinian people, and we take the position that there should be two states between the Mediterranean and the Jordon River. And we hope that sooner rather than later, a way can be found to achieve a peace agreement which is enduring. The recent move by the Saudis to revive the peace plan of 2002, and which Israelis say can be a basis for further negotiations, should be encouraged. And we hope that all on the side of peace and goodness will work towards helping them achieve convergence. But it will take time."

This is the first time a foreign minister from Singapore is visiting Israel.

Mr Yeo is expected to call on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, followed by a visit to Ramallah on Tuesday to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. - CNA/ir