SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. It’s my pleasure to welcome His Excellency, the Foreign Minister of Singapore. Singapore is a great ally and strategic partner. 

And we’re particularly happy to welcome the Foreign Minister here today, because every time I have sat with Singapore leaders, their wisdom with respect to the region has been really important. Their insights are tremendous. That goes way back to my meetings with Lee Kuan Yew and the prime ministers since. Singapore is an original founding member of the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership. And as such, we both have an interest in trying to finalize that initiative. 

We also have larger issues to talk about, a range of issues on ASEAN, the Lower Mekong, and issues of counter-proliferation and regional security. So we look forward to a good discussion, and as I always have, I know I’m going to get some valuable insights today. 

So, Mr. Minister, we welcome you here. Thank you. 

FOREIGN MINISTER SHANMUGAM: Thank you. 

SECRETARY KERRY: Good to have you here. 

FOREIGN MINISTER SHANMUGAM: Thank you. 

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thank you all very much. Appreciate it.