2 June 2013
I visited Singapore on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June for the 12th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit: The Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is an important component of the region’s peace and security architecture and is an opportunity for Ministers of Defence from the region and beyond to discuss current security, strategic and defence issues and challenges both in a multilateral format and on a bilateral basis.
I was joined at the Dialogue by the Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley.
On Saturday I addressed the Third Plenary session of the Dialogue on the topic of Military Modernisation and Strategic Transparency.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to address this Plenary Session with Defence Ministers from Indonesia and the United Kingdom.
I spoke to the Plenary Session about Australia’s recently released Defence White Paper and noted that as nations across the Indo-Pacific modernise their military forces, bilateral regional and multilateral forums, such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, will become increasingly important in promoting transparency and fostering confidence and greater mutual understanding within the Indo-Pacific.
During the Dialogue, I held a trilateral meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, and United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, where we discussed strategic and defence issues that affect the region.
I also held the inaugural Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister and Minister for Defence and Security, Xanana Gusmao and Indonesia’s Defence Minister Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro. We agreed to hold annual Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meetings.
I met with the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. As one of the oldest multilateral security forums in the region, the FPDA continues to make a significant contribution to regional security and stability.
During the Dialogue, I held formal bilateral meetings with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo and the Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng. I also met with Republic of Korea National Defence Minister Kim, the Myanmar Deputy Defence Minister Aung Thaw and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Nguyen.
I also met with Mr Dennis Muilenberg, Executive Vice President of Boeing and Mr Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of the EADS Group.
