Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue advisories on wait times at overseas airports. Travellers may wish to monitor airline and airport websites, as well as news reports for real-time information on wait times and potential disruptions at specific airports.”
“When the conflict in the Middle East deteriorated and commercial flights were halted in March 2026, the Singapore Government mounted four repatriation flights from Muscat, Riyadh and Jeddah to bring stranded Singaporeans home.”
“The Government has stepped up public engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and responses to key international developments to Singaporeans and to hear their views. We do this through dialogue sessions across segments of society, including students, youths, businesses and community leaders.”
“And the larger point during the Committee of Supply was that precisely, because the world is in such a difficult, prickly, volatile and dangerous state, actually, if we keep our wits about ourselves, we maintain unity and we continue to have this clear eye-realistic, but principled, approach, there are many opportunities for Singapore.”
“Well, in short, I completely agree with you. And that is why we have indeed been hosting these events and in your own capacity as a national athlete and also as an official now, you have seen how it works in practice.”
“Since 2022, about half of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) employees are women. The proportion of women in senior appointments has remained stable at about a quarter. We recognise that overseas postings are disruptive for officers with families, especially female officers who bear greater caregiving responsibilities.”
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“Singapore maintains excellent ties with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, our partners in the Middle East as well as the United States. These relationships are based on mutual respect, longstanding engagement and mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields. Singapore has had candid constructive conversations with all our partners. On Gaza, we have expressed grave concern over the dire humanitarian situation, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate unconditional release of all hostages. We have reiterated our view that the only viable pathway to a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to the long-standing conflict is a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
“This response also addresses a similar Parliamentary Question raised by Member Dr Wan Rizal for a subsequent Sitting. The safety and well-being of Singaporeans overseas are of utmost importance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Given the tensions in the Middle East, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will update our Travel Advisories and Notices accordingly. Our Missions in the Middle East are in touch with the respective Singaporean communities. MFA also has been working with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and its Student Liaison Officers in Cairo and Jeddah to maintain contact with Singapore students pursuing religious studies in the region. This enables us to reach out and provide consular assistance quickly in any emergency. Singaporeans in the Middle East should remain vigilant and monitor developments closely. They should also take all necessary precautions for their personal safety, purchase comprehensive travel insurance, and eRegister with MFA. As Singapore does not have resident diplomatic missions in all countries in the region, Singaporeans may also wish to familiarise themselves with the locations of the nearest Singapore Missions.”
“Singapore remains deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli ground offensive into Rafah. The offensive will only worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and add to the immense suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. Singapore has consistently reiterated our concerns and I have also made this clear in person to counterparts during my visit to the Middle East in March 2024. Singapore calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the safe, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza. Thus far, Singapore has contributed three significant tranches of humanitarian materials for Gaza. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also despatched personnel and assets to support humanitarian operations for Gaza. These include sending a medical team in January 2024 to support a French Armed Forces’ hospital ship berthed in Egypt in providing medical aid and post-operative nursing care to civilian casualties from Gaza; and deploying a C-130 at the invitation of the Jordanian government to air drop over 20 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza in March 2024. We will continue to contribute and remain in close contact with our regional partners and stakeholders on further humanitarian assistance needed for the civilians in Gaza. Singapore remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building efforts, including through our S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Programme (ETAP) for Palestinian Authority officials. Over 700 officials from the Palestinian Authority have come through ETAP thus far and we will continue to provide training assistance which has covered areas, such as healthcare, water management and civil service training.”
“Singapore is deeply concerned about the volatile situation in the Middle East. We have condemned the aerial attacks on Israel on 14 April 2024, which Iran stated was in response to an attack on its diplomatic premises in Damascus on 1 April 2024. These attacks exacerbate tensions and further destabilise an already tense region. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalatory actions. With the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the focus should be on securing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire; the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected civilians throughout Gaza. A wider conflict will have implications on the safety and security of everyone including Singaporeans living in the Middle East. Singaporean companies in the region will also be affected. More broadly, greater regional tensions will cause volatility to international energy markets, disrupt commercial aviation and disrupt international supply chains.”
“In 2023, the total number of Singaporeans who eRegistered before they departed from Singapore was about 340,000, which as a percentage is 1.5%, a small increase from 2019. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) maintains the eRegister so that Singaporeans can voluntarily provide information and contact details in relation to their overseas travels. This allows MFA to reach out and render prompt consular advice or assistance should any emergency occur at the destination. MFA will continue to encourage Singaporeans to eRegister. Aside from raising awareness through our Travel Advisories and Press Statements, we are using other channels like social media platforms. MFA has been leveraging on digital display panels at Housing and Development Board estates and public events like the NATAS Travel Fair to encourage Singaporeans to eRegister. We will continue to explore new platforms to raise awareness, including working with stakeholders in the travel industry.”
“The Ministry provides professional training and development at various stages of our officers' careers. This is to ensure that they have the competencies, skill sets and knowledge on various issues needed to operate in a complex, ever-changing global environment. MFA Diplomatic Academy organises developmental opportunities including briefings, workshops by senior diplomats, political office holders and subject matter experts on management and policy-related topics including economic, finance and trade issues. Some of our officers are seconded to relevant Government agencies and relevant agencies also second their officers to MFA, to deepen their understanding of the whole-of-Government (WOG) priorities, hone their competencies and facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas. In preparation for an Overseas Posting, our officers will be briefed by the finance, economic and trade agencies. While overseas, our officers work closely with experts from MTI, EDB, ESG and MAS on more technical issues in areas of trade and finance to ensure that Singapore's interests are upheld. Our officers also collaborate closely with the EDB and ESG representations in key overseas markets on trade and investments issues.”
“The final point I will make, and this also relates to ASEAN, we have a very good informal but functional relationship within ASEAN, that even when our people or citizens need help and we do not have a mission on the ground, informally, we reach out through our ASEAN networks to provide assistance. I should record my thanks that there have been even occasions when evacuating Singaporeans from war zones, we have had to "tompang" convoys led by or organised by our ASEAN neighbours. So, that is another plug for ASEAN and why we must get into this habit of looking out for each other.”
“It means every ambassador is not just an ambassador overseas, but I have told my ambassadors every time they come back for mid-term consultations or for meetings, we will have to deploy them in schools, in universities, institutions of higher learning. So, I agree with you. The second point is, you will be amazed at how widely and well-travelled Singaporeans are. I get to know about it when they get into trouble and a phone call comes or a message, an email comes. So, the first point is Singaporeans are some of the most widely travelled people in the world. And that is a good thing. Good because first, Singaporeans have opportunities; two, because Singaporeans are also broadening their minds and horizons and are looking for opportunities overseas, and the fact that you are Singaporean with the red passport, one of the most accessible passports in the world, that is a strength. Having said that, I must also confess to sometimes being worried when Singaporeans then turn around and say: I need you to give me a warranty. And the answer is: yes, I do have your back and I will do my best, but I cannot give you a warranty that the rest of the world is as safe and secure and peaceful as Singapore. During those rare occasions when MFA actually issues a travel advisory or travel notice, I appeal for Singaporeans, please pay attention to it. Do not go to a trouble spot if you really do not have to. And in any case, if you do, for whatever reason, please register with us and we will do our best.”
“Thank you. On the first point, I agree with the Member. Young Singaporeans have views and they do want to have access to the facts, the narratives, and I think they do want to have spaces for structured discussions. But particularly, when you are dealing with a live issue, it becomes that much harder, not just in terms of urgency but because emotions are raw, the chief protagonists are still in play – and it is not possible always to have a dispassionate remote discussion. Frankly, I think in the past, in a pre-social-media age and the Internet, it was easier to say: wait a minute, this is still a live issue, let us give it some time; and then discuss it. I do not think that option is available today because if we do not actually provide safe places for structured discussions, and deliberately try to lower temperatures and have discussions that shed more light than heat, what will happen in the absence of that is you will see the unbridled and sometimes unhinged, unfair and inaccurate portrayals in social media dominating. So, I just want to say I agree with you, and it is in that spirit, and again I am not speaking on behalf of Minister Chan, but it is in that spirit we have to support the efforts of MOE, MHA, the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth in the months and years to come. We need to do far more than we used to do in the past. In the case of MFA, I have told my staff and they all agree with me, we have to do far more of what we call retail diplomacy. Meaning diplomacy is no longer just travelling, meeting, engaging your counterparts, but we have to make the case back home domestically and explain it.”
“Thank you, Mr Chair, and I thank the Member for that question. The timing of our resident ambassador taking up post had nothing to do with 7 October. It was just fortuitous or unfortuitous, depending on your point of view. The answer is yes, it was part of a longer-term plan. Beyond the travails that Israel has gone through, if you just stop thinking about the conflict but just look at their achievements economically, their achievements technologically, especially in cyber, in water, in agriculture and in many of the advanced technologies, it is a place with talent and technologies that we want access to. As the Member said, our diplomatic ties with them go back a long time. But we do not have enough people to place all over the world. Right now, in terms of ambassadors, resident ambassadors, I think the number is just around 40. If you include all the consulates, we have maybe about 50-odd consulates in the world, in a world with about 200 states! So, the short answer to the question is, it had everything to do with long-term plans and long-term opportunities.”
“Even when you pursue self defence, there are limits and please stay within those limits. At the end of it all, remember despite all the diversity in the world and even the discordance, we are all human beings and we must feel something for innocent civilians. The loss, you cannot help feeling! Every innocent child, every civilian who loses his life or has a family member maimed, this is in fact storing up tinder for the next cycle of violence. So, even if you want to take a completely amoral attitude to this calculus, this is counterproductive. Again, I reiterate that I am very grateful for, I believe, the consensus that we have achieved here and it enables me to speak to my counterparts with greater confidence that I have the support of Members in this House and of Singaporeans when we pursue a foreign policy that is principle-based, that is consistent, that is constructive and that is able to operate in the midst of diversity, both internally and externally, the same. So, thank you.”
“Mr Chair, I do not think it is appropriate for me to respond on behalf of MHA or MOE, so, let me try to confine my answer to MFA. First, I thank the Member for her understanding and agreement with the elements of our foreign policy that I have expounded on. So, thank you for that. Specifically, the question on how our stand, given that it differs from the Israelis, because I am sure the Israelis will disagree with us, I think, when we say that the military response has gone too far. Similarly, in my conversations with my Arab counterparts, their interpretation of events will not be identical to ours. So, I would say the first point is to accept that these differences are in the nature of things. What has been good is that it has not stopped us from communicating, from working together and in the more specific case now of even delivering humanitarian assistance and more to come. I am glad, therefore, that the Member agrees, particularly that we should not break ties and we should maintain those links, despite the differences of opinion that we have. More specifically for this issue, we have said we voted for immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It is necessary. I should also have added that actually the hostages taken on 7 October should be released, should be released completely, immediately and unconditionally. What we are witnessing, frankly, is a cynical calculus in blood. But we do not want any part of that, because we are not party to that quarrel. So, we are simply taking a stand on principle: terrorism is wrong, hostage-taking is wrong, please release the hostages immediately, do not use any excuse historical or whatever to cover for that. At the same time, two wrongs do not make a right.”
“What we are trying to achieve here is not peace in the Middle East, but for us, all Singaporeans, we are able to say we may have different opinions, deeply held for a variety of reasons, but it will not divide us. And we will still make common cause and we will still be constructive partners with our friends across conflict zones. Whether that conflict is in Myanmar, which is a civil war; between neighbours like Ukraine and Russia, who also have a complicated history; or between the interminable rounds of violence in the Middle East. The fact that Singapore is, well, you know, has access, has respect and has a small and constructive role to play is something which we should be grateful for. But my main point today, so long as we stay united, so long as we are able to respect, truly respect diverse opinions and still operate as a united whole. For that, I thank the Leader of the Opposition, I thank the Members of the Opposition and the NMPs for what I believe today is consensus on foreign policy.”
“Having more channels open in general is good. Do you have to, sometimes, take actions to signify your disapproval? You do. But even in your choice of actions and diplomatic gestures, be very restrained, be very careful. And then, focus on outcomes. In this case, Singapore has no say in what will happen between Israel and Palestine. But we have an opinion – for what it is worth. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians know our position is not identical with each of them, but they know why we take the positions that we take, and that has not stopped us from having mutually respectful and constructive relations. 3.15 pm No, I do not take it for granted. When I share notes, even with my counterparts in ASEAN, in other countries, very few people have access that we have had. We have been to Jerusalem, to literally every capital. When we went to Jerusalem, and the Prime Minister will recall, the way in which the Israelis, the Jordanians, the administrators of Al-Haram, Al-Sharif, the way they treated us and the access that they gave us, the Prime Minister will agree, it was unprecedented. I do not take that for granted. I think we had that because we have conducted foreign policy in a principled, consistent, respectful and constructive way for decades. And that gives us access, that gives us some relevance. But never, never overestimate our weight. We remain small, remote, multiracial. The purpose of most of my speech today was not about the technicalities of foreign policy. Actually, it is to reflect that our very foundation and our identity is based on diversity. It is our identity, it is our strength, but also understand that with that strength comes portals of vulnerabilities.”
“I have told my Prime Minister I have had to inhale second-hand smoke and I have drunk good whiskey for the sake of Singapore. And why do I do that? Because I am not engaged in performative gestures. I want to hear. I want to understand. At the same time, I want to communicate to him and to his country, so they know why we had taken a different position from them. It is not personal, it is not bilateral, and even when we go as far as to levy sanctions, these are targeted sanctions. We will make sure that Singapore is not a portal for arms or dual-use equipment which can be used against Ukrainians and Ukrainian civilians. And I can say that our relations with Russia, I mean, the Russians have had to say certain things about us. But, in fact, if you observe their acts, the actions and the conduct between Russia and Singapore, it has been mutually respectful. It has been constructive. I look forward to the day when the war in Ukraine ends, and relations and the conduct of business can get back to normal. Coming to Israel, it has been a rare privilege that our diplomats and Ministers have access to all the countries, literally, all the countries in the Middle East, even and especially during this time of crisis. We do not agree with everything that every counterpart in Israel and the Arab countries state, but they listen to us. They respect our positions. They work with us to deliver assistance. And mind you, even for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, we will need to work with Israel. The fact that everyone knows we do have good relations with Israel also gives us a special ability to contribute and to be more effective in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. So, that is basically my thinking. There will be disagreements from time to time, that is normal.”
“Thank you. Sir, actually, on policy and on action and position, I think the WP agrees with the position that we have taken. But the Member's question, to be fair, is please share what is the Member's thinking behind. Because the WP and the PAP can arrive at the same decision, but for completely different reasons and a different rationale. So, I think it is a fair question to seek what are your principal considerations and how do you arrive at a decision like this. Specifically, for diplomatic ties – and I stand ready to be corrected by the Prime Minister – I do not think we have ever broken ties in 59 years or at least in the 20 years that the Prime Minister has been around. I will get my staff to check. But I cannot recall a single moment when we have broken ties. So, that is just a matter of fact-checking. Again, to the question, from time to time, will we have disagreements, even stand-offs, even close to kinetic action with other countries? And the answer is yes. And will a performative gesture of formally breaking ties, would that necessarily be helpful? So, that would be my first question that I would ask myself and I would ask my staff and I would ask the Prime Minister. Do we want to go through this performative gesture and will it help? My own inclination is to say, in times of tensions, in times of divergence, in times of conflict, the more you can engage and communicate and keep multiple channels of communication open, the better. So, that is my first point. To add on examples to that, in the case of Russia and Ukraine, we have not broken ties with Russia. Again, without spilling state secrets, have I continued to meet informally my counterpart in Russia? Yes, I have continued to meet informally.”
“Mr Chairman, I will interpret that as, actually, the Member agrees.”
“First, I will thank the Member for his cooperation in the past. He has revealed a private and sensitive conversation that we had. I am not going to go through the details, but I do want to affirm that, yes, I do have private and sensitive conversations with the Opposition. I will also affirm that to date, in fact, we have arrived at consensus, we have arrived at agreement, specifically for that particular issue, but I would also say, as a matter of habit, we have been able to make sure our politics stop at the water's edge – and for that, I thank you. The next thing, since a lot of the Member's questions have been about the problems in Gaza, I am going to start – and I welcome you to correct me if I am wrong – by listing where we agree. I think I have heard the Member say he agreed that what happened on 7 October was an act of terror. The Member has also affirmed that there is a right of self defence. The Member has highlighted the danger of words used or misused, or used without sufficient thought or caution. And the Member has also highlighted the dangers of dehumanising someone whom you do not agree with. On this, I can say I agree with you on those points. Specifically, for the Member's on diplomatic ties – and I think we both received the same emails – I detect in the Member's question — actually, I suspect the Member actually agrees with me that we should not sever diplomatic ties, even when the government of the day of another country may have quite a fundamental disagreement with us on policy. So, I am saying I detect that, actually, the Member is agreeing with us. Mr Chairman, can I just seek confirmation that the Member agrees with us?”
“We will be divided, we will be weaker, we will be vulnerable, we will not be independent, we will not have autonomy. I am very glad that our community and religious leaders have tried to help our people better understand the conflict. Trying to help people understand this conflict is a very dangerous and difficult exercise. I mean, you can ask the Ministry of Education (MOE) about this. I am sure Minister Chan will explain more of that later on. But it is an essential exercise. Where else in the world can you get the Chief Rabbi and the Mufti come together in the immediate aftermath of a horrendous attack and a catastrophic response? Where else in the world will the Rabbi and the Mufti come together in a public display of solidarity, call for stronger bonds between the Jewish and Muslim communities and express their hope and prayers for long-term peace? The Mufti and the Chief Rabbi have both come in for criticism. They are brave people. They are principled people. They are people who have stood up – not just for their communities – but have made Singapore a stronger, safer, better place. So, this is a wonderful example of Singapore unity, cohesion and compassion at its best. 2.15 pm Let me end, again, by quoting Mr Lee Kwan Yew. I think he said this in 1966, when speaking to some university students, "We must be realistic. We cannot afford to indulge in emotional outbursts or in wishful thinking. We must face the hard facts of life and deal with them rationally and objectively." Mr Chairman, we have tried – in MFA and all our diplomats – to abide by this. With your permission, may I ask Dr Maliki and Ms Sim Ann to continue?”
“As I said before, we have good ties with the Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Lee, Senior Minister Teo, Minister Maliki and I have visited Ramallah on multiple occasions. We have met our counterparts there and even during this crisis I have been in phone contact with the Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister. We do all this because we look forward to the day when there is peace and that there is a functioning, capable Palestinian State and that the Palestinian people get the peace and progress which they so richly deserve. I mentioned earlier we have also established a representative office in Ramallah in 2022. So, I appreciate that many Singaporeans feel deeply about what is happening. But I also hope you can understand my point that foreign policy cannot be driven one way or the other by sentiment or affinity to any external group. Our foreign policy must be based on understanding our core interests and acting consistently in accordance with the principles that safeguard our Independence, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our security. Looking ahead, because of the state of the world, there is going to be many more foreign policy issues that are difficult, sensitive, prickly and controversial. The Israel-Hamas war is just the latest chapter. Can you imagine if there is a war between the US and China or India and China or between our neighbours or in the South China Sea? Then it would not be just economics or just emotion. Everything will come to bear at the same time, both the economic and the emotional impact. And if that happens, if Singapore splits, polarises, divides on the basis of affinity or history or identity, race, language or religion, we will be sunk.”
“So, we have voted in favour of every UN resolution that calls on Israel to rescind unilateral measures to change the status of Jerusalem, not because we have a view on how to settle the Jerusalem question, but because we believe this can only be done through direct negotiations between the two Semitic tribes, the Palestinians and the Israelis, directly arriving at a consensus, however long, however difficult that will be. Mr Zulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked how we have contributed to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Singaporeans actually have contributed generously with humanitarian assistance. The Singaporean non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Government raised more than $10 million for relief operations to Gaza so far. I am confident more will follow. Our strong ties with our partners in the Middle East have allowed us to collaborate with them on the delivery of this aid. So far, we have sent two tranches of life-saving aid for the civilians in Gaza. Minister Maliki was in Cairo in early November last year to personally hand over the first tranche to the Egyptian Red Crescent. A few weeks later we sent a second tranche that was delivered directly to El Arish, an airport in Egypt near the Egypt-Gaza border. This was delivered by an RSAF, our military aircraft. In January 2024, Members would know that we also sent an SAF medical team to serve on board a French Navy ship to treat casualties from Gaza. I told Members just now I spoke to the Jordanian Foreign Minister last night. We have agreed that we will donate a third tranche of aid for Gaza and, this time, we will work through Jordan. We will continue also our long-standing support for the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts through our $10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package.”
“But this is only the latest chapter of a long saga of tragedy. Our hearts quite rightly ache at the bloodshed. But it is essential for Singaporeans to understand and appreciate that this is not our quarrel. And whilst we may feel a diversity of emotions on this, the worst thing would be to let this quarrel polarise and divide us as Singaporeans. Both Israel and Palestine have a right to exist. Israel has a right to live peacefully within secure borders, but the Palestinian people also have a right to a homeland. This is why way back in 1988 – I bet most people are not aware of that – back in 1988, we welcomed the proclamation of a Palestinian State. We are under no illusions that the path to an enduring peace will be easy. There is so much distrust and animosity and the recent events have only made things worse. But for what it is worth, I tell all our friends and partners in the Middle East that Singapore continues to believe that a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, is the only possible basis for a durable peace. Anything else will just condemn them to repeating the cycles of violence and tragedy. So, we have consistently expressed our support for a two-state solution at the UN. We have consistently opposed moves that undermine a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. For example, we view Israel's settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law and we think, in fact, proceeding with the way they have proceeded over the last couple of decades after the failure of the Oslo Accords, will only make things worse and make it much more difficult to arrive at a two-state solution.”
“And all sides know that Singapore will always speak our minds, not provocatively, but because these are dearly held principles that we uphold, and that we will continue to maintain these positions guided by Singapore's long-term national interests and our unique circumstances, and whether or not you agree or disagree with us, it is not personal. It is a carefully considered national position. Quite frankly, I have never had to get into any shouting matches or disagreeable phone calls with any other foreign minister, regardless of circumstances. It is not because I am such an erudite and charming man, but because I am just the latest current Foreign Minister of Singapore, behaving true to form and holding fast to principles that have stood the test of time. I want to make one more point about the Israel-Hamas conflict. As I said just now, this is a long-standing conflict – a complicated history. But it is worth emphasising that this is not a religious battle. Religion is actually a veneer covering the heart of the conflict. What is the heart of the conflict? It is an age-old conflict, a fight over land, over identity, over power. This is an issue that goes back a very long time. And, in fact, not just by tradition, and not just because they all claim Abraham as their father, but even the latest genetic data, the Israelis and Palestinians are both – both – Semitic tribes who have been fighting over the same sliver of land for such a long time. It is not possible for outsiders like us, no matter how we feel or do not feel about them and their identity, their culture and their religion. It is not possible for Singaporeans to decide or to determine who is right or who has a stronger historical claim. This long-drawn fight has been a tragedy.”
“Some people have told me that that is not enough. We want you to sever diplomatic ties with Israel. Recall your ambassador. Engage in other performative diplomatic actions. Well, I need to tell everyone that we manage our international relations by remaining engaged with the international community and maintaining ties with as many countries as possible that are willing to maintain ties with us. As a small country, this is in our national interest. Ceremonially breaking ties with countries every time we disapprove of their actions, in my view, that is not constructive. Whatever we say or do diplomatically will not change the situation on the ground, nor, I will add, will it influence Israel to suddenly change its policy, or will it necessarily immediately reduce the suffering on the Palestinians. None of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council has broken ties with Israel. Even the Arab countries – Egypt, the UAE, Jordan – continue to have diplomatic relations with Israel. I checked last night during a phone call. Ambassadors may or may not be present, but their staff are present, the embassies are present, and their embassies are open and functioning. Neither have ASEAN countries like Thailand, Philippines or Vietnam broken off relations or closed their embassies in Tel Aviv. Ms Rachel Ong asked how Singapore's relations with Israel will be impacted by the position that we have taken on the conflict. Clearly, they know that our position is not identical to theirs. I would say that we have been able to maintain good and respectful relations with the State of Israel, but I would also say that we have good and equally respectful relations with the Palestinian Authority.”
“" So, I hope you understand why we have to be so categorical at times like this, even though we know it is an emotionally fraught moment. After the 7 October attacks, we said we recognise Israel's right to self-defence. Again, it is not actually because I was really thinking of Israel or taking sides. We recognised Israel's right to self-defence, because we will assert Singapore's right to self-defence if we ever face a situation like that. I have no doubt about that. It is not only our right of self defence, but I think Members of this House will agree it is our duty to protect our citizens. But even as we said there is a right of self-defence, we have consistently insisted that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law. Israel's conduct must abide by the principles of necessity and proportionality and Israel must comply with the laws of war, including the principles of distinction and humanity enshrined in the Geneva Conventions. Unfortunately, Israel's military response has gone too far. For avoidance of ambiguity, I am going to repeat that line: Israel's military response has gone too far. The catastrophic situation in Gaza demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the unbearable suffering of the civilian victims and to enable humanitarian assistance to reach them immediately. We are also concerned that there may be a potential ground offensive into Rafa, which will only worsen the situation further. We have made our position clear, both in my conversations with Israel and all our Arab friends and partners, and at the UN. We voted for the two UN General Assembly resolutions on the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
“But what happened on 7 October – and I know I have had this debate with the Leader of the Opposition before – we had to condemn that specific episode on 7 October, when Hamas launched an attack on civilians and took hostages. This was a blatant and abhorrent act of terrorism, which cannot be justified by any circumstance, context, historical reason or justification. Why are we so obsessed with calling out terrorism wherever we see it and we tell the world – no excuses, no pretext, no justification? Why? The reason we take this stand again, is not because we are taking sides or that we are trying to correct history or rewrite history. We cannot. We are talking about conflict for thousands of years. We are only a country of 59 years of Independence. No, we are not. We had taken that categorical stand because terrorism is a clear and present threat to Singapore. To excuse terrorism now, for whatever reason, in fact, puts Singapore at risk. Let me share with you, every time I read about rockets being fired or an insurgent force killing, raping, maiming civilians or taking hostages – actually, the truth is, on 7 October, my thoughts were not so much on Gaza. I was thinking, if rockets landed in Bukit Panjang; if an insurgent force entered Woodlands; if 1,200 Singaporeans were killed; if 200 Singaporeans were kidnapped – that is what I was thinking of. So, when I say foreign policy begins at home, I tell you: your Foreign Minister spends more time thinking about, "What if that happens here? What would we need to say? What would we need to do? What would be the job of my diplomats and especially my Permanent Representative in New York and if we had to face the Security Council?”
“So, it is both a defining strength and a potential source of division. A variety of opinions is healthy and it provides a foundation upon which we can make collective decisions as a country. But remember that we must always find that middle ground, make the compromises arrive at the consensus, because the moment we fracture, we are irrelevant. External issues can certainly polarise us. Russia's war with Ukraine was, in fact, a precursor, a preamble for us. We took the position to condemn Russia's invasion because it was a clear violation of international law. But there were competing narratives that were, in fact, opposed to the position that we took. They wanted us to choose a side instead of upholding principles. The war in Ukraine had significant economic impact. It certainly affected the price of energy, fertilisers and food. We felt it. It was part of the story of inflation around the world. But actually, it did not have all that much emotional resonance. Because given our own makeup, the sense of affinity or identity is much less. But now, let us get real. The next episode, what is happening in Gaza, the Israel-Hamas conflict. It may actually have less – so far anyway – economic impact. But it has got a very major emotional impact and we should recognise that. The fighting in Gaza has resulted in a humanitarian crisis that is appalling. Anyone with a heart must ache with every picture, every video, every news report you read. Far too many innocent lives have been lost or maimed forever. The conflict in the Middle East is a complicated one. It goes back decades. In fact, it goes back centuries. Or if you want to go through history, you can even go back thousands of years. It is a chronic, difficult, painful, tragic, enormously difficult to resolve problem.”
“Our ethnic identities, our legacies, our connections – they are still useful for maintaining friendships for establishing and expanding business connections. But fundamentally, even as we parlay our multilingual, multicultural, multi-religious ability, we must remember to look at issues and respond as Singaporeans first. Every time, I go to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing or the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, I am always reminded that if my great-grandparents had not left India or China, I do not think I would be there as a guest of India or China. And then I looked around at my delegation and looked at their faces and then I always point out to my interlocutors, look at my delegation. We are multiracial, multilingual, multi-religious. And I speak on behalf of Singapore and Singaporeans, not as an Indian or Chinese or Malay or on the basis of my religious identity. I am reminded of that, that every time I go to the White House or go to any palace or any Istana anywhere in the world, this is the way we have to continue dealing with all countries, both those whom we have good, friendly relations with; and those whom we may temporarily have, perhaps, a little bit of tension because of disagreements on issues. So, the point I am making, is that external issues and events will always have the potential to sow disagreement amongst us. It is hardcoded into our identity. Our diversity is both a strengthen, but also that same windows of opportunity also provide windows for influence, external and for discord and divisiveness. This is not a bug. This is a design feature of Singapore. So long as we remember that we must not allow centrifugal pressures to threaten our harmony and our cohesion, we can continue to take advantage of our diversity.”
“We continue to reinforce our status as a trusted partner to both superpowers – even as we find new areas to deepen our cooperation. It is important to be able to do that even whilst the two superpowers would not get along and do not have strategic trust and have not yet reached a modest-free band. We are trying to deepen cooperation and to maintain separate relationships with them that are still based on trust. Do you see? Do you understand – appreciate the nature of that diplomatic challenge? Of course, we will continue to prioritise our relations with our neighbours – especially our two immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia. And, of course, with ASEAN; and with the regional players and – as I said just now – with the emerging middle powers. I will leave Second Minister Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman and Senior Minister of State Sim Ann to give you more details on this later. Let me come back to foreign policy beginning at home. I have already mentioned the essential need for domestic cohesion and unity. This is absolutely essential and existential. If we cannot be united at home, how do we face the outside world with all its dangers, challenges and risks? At Independence, we were a society riddled with racial and religious fault lines. Our forefathers overcame this by setting aside differences, not erasing it, those differences are still there. But making sure that they did not become a source of internal tension and conflict. Our Pioneer Generation chose to put Singapore and Singaporeans first. They worked together for the collective good to build, not a Malay nation or a Chinese nation or an Indian nation. They chose to build a nation that all of us equally could call home. But this is always work in progress.”
“When many people asked us about United States and China, implicit in their comments or the question is which side are you going to take? And I have to keep reiterating. We will not become anybody's cat's paw or pawn or Trojan horse. We will be useful; but we will not be used by any other power. We will look at issues as and when they come up dispassionately and we will always choose on the basis of Singapore's long-term national interests. That means – from time to time – we will face pressure from countries almost always bigger than us, who want us to bend to their will or at least to endorse their positions. But will we need to stand firm and to be prepared from time to time to say no – not in a gratuitous and provocative way but because they know we have done our own calculations. We take a stand, based on our assessment of our long-term national interest. There is no point putting pressure on Singaporean Ministers and diplomats because if anything, we will dig in and we will hold the line even firmer. This makes us relevant, gives us a degree of respect and ability to contribute on the global stage. These are principles which guide – have always guided our dealings – with powers and partners, big or small. That has enabled us to maintain good and significant equities with both the United States, China, Russia, Europe and all the middle emerging powers – Australia, India, Africa, South America. This year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park – our first government-to-government project with China. This year is also the 20th anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA that United States signed with an Asian country.”
“That means we will work with all countries on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. To do this, we need to always bring value to the table. Our good standing today, I mean, quite frankly, my job as Foreign Minister is so much easier because I stand on the foundations laid by the Pioneer Generation who showed the world they will stand up, would not flinch, they would defend Singapore's national interest, they would add value, we would act transparently and honestly, could be relied upon to be honest brokers. That makes the doors open for today's generation of diplomats. And then, we make sure that in any diplomatic conference, the Singaporean diplomats will be the most well-briefed, the most erudite, the most persuasive and the most constructive people in the room. And the other big advantage which makes my job so much easier, is that when any Singaporean Minister or diplomat takes a stand on the international stage, it has been coordinated. He speaks not for himself or for MFA; he speaks for the whole-of-Government, the whole of Singapore. So, this is the way we have conducted foreign policy over decades and how we have achieved a certain branding – a reputation – for being consistent, constructive and to look for win-win outcomes but on the basis of mutual respect. So we have made a difference and we are continuing to make a difference on the international stage – whether it is frontier issues like Generative AI or climate change or digital economy, new energy or sustainability. It is these same habits and attributes that keep recurring. And that is why we must continue to be a credible and honest partner – especially and even in the face of great power rivalry.”
“In its place, we are witnessing the rise of nationalism, of xenophobia, of protectionism, of fragmentation, and in the political arena, frankly, populism. This is inimical to Singapore domestically and to Singapore globally. Because, in fact, if you reflect upon the past six decades of our Independence, almost six decades, we have been beneficiaries of a rules-based, integrated global economy and this has been one of the key dynamos for our success. International legal frameworks like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea protect the right of all States for freedom of navigation and overflight and to maintain open sea routes and sea lines of communication. These are vital to Singapore. This is why Mr Vikram Nair raised the issue of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. We are not taking sides, but if anyone, state or non-state, for whatever excuse or pre-text, interdicts maritime safety and maritime navigation, it affects Singapore. Members of this House may need to be reminded of our basic geography; that if you cannot navigate through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, if that route is closed, then the shortest route between Europe and Asia around the Cape of Good Hope, is not the Straits of Malacca. You have to go further south and go through the Sunda Straits. Again, I am trying to make the point that we take a position for our long-term national interest. That is why we contributed personnel to the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect freedom of navigation and to protect the key sea lines of communication in response to what we assess to be unlawful attacks on commercial shipping by the Houthis. This is about upholding principles, not about taking sides. Second, we must make common cause with as many partners around the world as possible.”
“This House has just passed the Budget for the Ministry of Defence. I stand in full support of that because, as Minister Ng said last night, we do not expect anyone to come to our rescue, to shed their blood for us. In fact, I can even add, I do not think we can bank on any superpower exercising their right of veto in the UN Security Council on our behalf. We are on our own. Sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity is and must be sacrosanct for Singapore. And what this means is being prepared to stand up and call out all violations of international law whenever, wherever it happens, and even if it displeases some of our stakeholders and some of our partners or even neighbours. This was why we opposed Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and we condemned Russia's invasion of the Ukraine in 2022. And we remain in fact the only Southeast Asian nation to even have sanctions in place against Russia for that egregious act. We also spoke out against the American intervention in Grenada in 1983, and a more sensitive point closer to home, we opposed the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia in 1978. The reason we took these positions was not because we liked to stand out and stake out a position, but because if we had stayed quiet, we would have implicitly agreed that might makes right and that powerful states can do what they can and the weak must suffer what we must. This goes against the very principles that undergird our existence as a sovereign, independent city-state. But today, we are witnessing the erosion of multilateralism, we are seeing less cooperation across the world, we are seeing less unity on the global stage, less ability for the world to respond to planetary problems.”
“Indeed, in this contested, fragmented and dangerous world, events in many faraway places over which we have absolutely no control will often have a profound impact on our economy and, in fact, sometimes put our domestic cohesion to the test. So, let me come back to first principles. Singapore's foreign policy is based on several fundamental objectives. First and foremost, protect our independence, sovereignty, and our territorial integrity. Second, to secure our access to essential supplies – energy, water, food – and to keep air and sea lanes of communication open. This is existential for us. Third, to expand economic opportunities and to maintain our relevance to the world. Mr Henry Kwek and Mr Chong Kee Hiong have emphasised this. I want to quote the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the speech he gave at the S Rajaratnam lecture in 2009. Mr Lee said, "We have to live with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. We must remain nimble to seize opportunities that come with changing circumstances or to get out of harm's way". We are a small country with no hinterland, no natural resources, and in fact, no intrinsic relevance. We have to make our relevance to the world. We have an open and trade-based economy that will always be vulnerable to external forces and trends, and we remain a multiracial, multi-religious, and multilingual society in the heart of Southeast Asia. To ensure our best chances for survival, there are a few things we have to keep doing. First, we have to advocate for a rules-based order and full respect for international law. This is not the ideological position. This is a practical response. It is the only way that small states will have a chance to live in peace without the constant specter of invasion from bigger neighbours.”
“Today, the situation is worse. The war between Russia and Ukraine is headed into its third year, and the meat grinder, the casualties mount on both sides and there is no end in sight. Tensions between the US and China have calmed somewhat at a tactical level, but the deep strategic rivalry, the lack of strategic trust continues apace. The bifurcation, or what some people will call, decoupling, or more euphemistically, de-risking of global supply chains continues. That unravelling is continuing apace. This type of situation is particularly worrisome for Singapore, because after all, the US and China are our major strategic investment and trading partners. And the lack of strategic trust between them means that the risk of miscalculations that could easily spiral into a larger conflict cannot be discounted, especially over flashpoints like Taiwan and the South China Sea. The threat of climate change continues. I think 2023 was the hottest year on record for 174 years. We also stand on the precipice of a technological and economic revolution, with the advent of generative AI and even the possibility of artificial general intelligence with its impact on jobs. Mr Chairman, the tragic conflict between Israel and Hamas is the latest addition to this litany of woes. Given the appalling humanitarian tragedy, this conflict has quite understandably elicited a very strong response from both the international community as well as from Singaporeans from all walks of life, from all our communities. It has ignited a debate over Singapore's foreign policy and how we should respond as a country.”
“Mr Chairman, thank you for all the contributions, questions, suggestions from Members of Parliament (MPs). Again, this year I was struck by the fact that the speeches of the Opposition and the Nominated MPs, and the People's Action Party (PAP) MPs, were entirely fungible. I do not take that consensus for granted and I express my gratitude on behalf of all my staff for your support for MFA. And I hope it is not just because this year, MFA has regained its position as the lowest cost Ministry in the Government Budget. Let me start by making three points. First, the world has become an even more dangerous place. In fact, if you look at the situation of the last couple of years, it has progressively become more dangerous. The second point, foreign policy begins at home. Domestic unity, cohesion, consensus within and outside this House are essential for us to conduct effective foreign policy. The third point is that our foreign policy must continue to be based on a realistic assessment of our national interests and our vulnerabilities. It cannot be driven by sentiment, emotion or even affinities with external groups. Let me emphasise this. When we pledge ourselves as "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion", the MFA dimension to that pledge is that when we engage with foreign countries or foreign citizens, we must also do so regardless of race, language or religion, no matter how close our hearts and our affinities are. And this is a point that we need to bear in mind. So, let me expand. A dangerous world. Last year, I spoke of a "perfect storm of multiple interlocking crises". I was referring to the contestation between the US and China, the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, global economic disruptions and the erosion of multilateralism.”
“Singapore has provided annual voluntary financial contributions to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since 2001. As a small country with limited resources, we take a holistic approach in determining our level of international humanitarian assistance. Singapore provides humanitarian assistance across various international organisations and to relief efforts in our region and beyond. Specific to UNHCR, our current annual contribution of US$60,000 is comparable to other Association of Southeast Asian Nation member states. We will continue to contribute to international humanitarian assistance within our resources.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me address that supplementary question because I have just returned last week from the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. I would emphasise that the key word is "consistency" and ASEAN, under the Chairmanship of Laos, has expressed our clear intention to maintain that consistent position, and the paramount expression of that is the Five-Point Consensus. I would say that, as far as ASEAN is concerned, there is no change. The unfortunate change, which is happening, is on the ground in Myanmar. If the Member checks with his contacts there, the security situation remains dire. It is almost tantamount to a civil war. Whilst the military has no intention of ceding power, their ability to maintain authority on the ground is being severely challenged by a variety of groups, both the ethnic armed organisations as well as the resistance from the Burmese majority within Myanmar itself. So, the other point which we have all emphasised is that there is a need to continue humanitarian support. And ASEAN is engaged on this and we are also expecting that Thailand will do a bit more to enable or facilitate the cross-border delivery of humanitarian assistance. Our priority remains the welfare of the people of Myanmar and we should be under no illusions that ASEAN can magically resolve the problems. Ultimately, this is a political problem, a problem of leadership. The political leaders across the spectrum in Myanmar need to get together, reconcile their diverse positions and we still believe there needs to be direct face-to-face negotiations conducted in good faith amongst all the political leaders there. So, it is a complex situation, but we will continue to maintain our consistent position.”
“The first part is addressed by my answer to Mr Dennis Tan's question on 5 February. [Please refer to "Impact of China's Demarches In Reaction to Singapore's Congratulatory Message to Taiwan's Newly-elected President on Bilateral Relations", Official Report, 5 February 2024, Vol 95, Issue 120, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.] On the second and third parts, I would like to make two important clarifications. First, Singapore does not have "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. We are friends with both sides of the Taiwan Strait and we conduct our relations with the Mainland and Taiwan in a way that is consistent with our "One China" policy. Second, Singapore's foreign policy is not predicated on maintaining "diplomatic neutrality" but is driven by our national interests and principles. In this context, we have pursued wide-ranging and mutually beneficial cooperation with all our international partners, including China, and will continue to do so. From time to time, countries may disagree with each other given their different interests. When this happens, it is important for there to be constructive and amicable dialogue to understand each other's positions.”
“The Houthis' attacks on vessels in the Red Sea region, a major sea line of communication, have disrupted the flow of trade and threatened the safety and freedom of navigation through the area. To safeguard free and open access to trade routes and shipping lanes, Singapore will continue to work with the international community, including the relevant littoral states and agencies, such as the International Maritime Organisation, in accordance with international law. For instance, Singapore is a member of the 41-nation Combined Maritime Forces and has participated in multinational counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden under Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman would also be aware of our participation in Operation Prosperity Guardian, under CTF 153: Red Sea Maritime Security. In addition, Singapore has hosted the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre since 2006 and the Information Fusion Centre since 2009. These centres enable rapid information-sharing and engagement with the commercial shipping community on maritime security incidents, which allow timely and appropriate actions to be taken. Our agencies have been engaging operators of Singapore-registered ships to remind them to exercise vigilance, follow instructions from the local authorities and take necessary precautionary measures when transiting through the Red Sea region. We will continue to monitor the impact of such disruptions to global trade on our businesses. We stand ready to serve as a catch-up port to help diverted vessels from the Red Sea and to work with our businesses to manage their supply chains and strengthen their contingency plans.”
“South Africa filed an application against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 29 December 2023, related to the war in the Gaza Strip. South Africa also requested an indication of provisional measures from the ICJ in its application. The ICJ has not yet arrived at a verdict on the merits of the case, but has issued an order on provisional measures on 26 January 2024. Singapore is studying the legal implications of the ICJ's order on provisional measures. Orders of the ICJ are generally binding on the litigants. We should let due legal process run its course. Respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, has always been a fundamental principle of Singapore's foreign policy. At the United Nations, Singapore has voted in favour of resolutions that called for an immediate humanitarian truce or ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the urgent and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
“Singapore was approached by the Chinese and we reiterated our longstanding approach and "One China" policy. Our strong and deep relations with China have not been affected, and our engagements with China have proceeded apace.”
“Assisting Singaporeans in distress is a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). When we learn of Singaporeans who are seriously injured overseas, our immediate focus is to ascertain their status. We will quickly reach out to local authorities and medical institutions to check on the condition of the affected Singaporeans, and then ensure that they receive the necessary medical attention. We will assist to inform their next-of-kin in Singapore and render consular assistance to these family members. This may include linking them up with local doctors or providing information to facilitate medical repatriation if the families decide to bring their injured loved ones home for treatment. For Singaporeans who have passed away overseas, MFA will advise their next-of-kin on the procedures in relation to funeral services, local cremation, and/or the repatriation of the bodies. We will help the families reach out to the relevant local authorities to obtain the necessary documentation to repatriate the body or the cremated remains. Singaporeans who are travelling overseas are reminded to take precautions to ensure their personal safety. Prior to their departure, Singaporeans are strongly encouraged to monitor the situation at their destinations and e-register with MFA. Singaporeans are advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses, including medical costs, during their overseas trips.”
“Yes. In response to the Member's supplementary question, I will, in fact, go a little bit beyond that. The staff have to declare the items which are going in the diplomatic bag. The items must not contravene any import or export restrictions imposed, either by Singapore or by the receiving state. And like all other baggage that goes on board planes, they are also subject to x-ray surveillance and, of course, any other checks that are legally permissible under diplomatic practice.”
“Sorry, Mr Speaker, I should have clarified that I am also answering Question No 5.”
“Mr Speaker, the diplomatic bag is used for the conveyance of official documents. Limited quantities of personal items are allowed to enable our staff to fulfil their overseas duties effectively. So, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some limited medical supplies were also sent to our staff. There have been no instances of questionable use of the diplomatic bag in the past five years, except for a case that is presently before the Courts. We have a system and guidelines in place for the proper use of the diplomatic bag and we will review our processes periodically.”
“This question for written answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs during the debate on Mr Vikram Nair, Mr Alex Yam and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim's Motion on “Solidarity, Security and Peace – The Israel-Hamas Conflict” on 6 November 2023. [Please refer to "Solidarity, Security and Peace – The Israel-Hamas Conflict", Official Report, 06 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 115, Motions section.]”
“These questions for written answer were addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs during the debate on Mr Vikram Nair, Mr Alex Yam and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim’s Motion on “Solidarity, Security and Peace: The Israel-Hamas Conflict” on 6 November 2023. [Please refer to "Solidarity, Security and Peace – The Israel-Hamas Conflict", Official Report, 6 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 115, Motions section.]”
“Surely, you are not saying you did not call them out because it was not on the list? But anyway, let us not get bogged down there. The point is, today, in this House, you have agreed, we have all agreed, the acts that were conducted on 7 October were acts of terrorism. I think let us leave it there.”
“And this was a resolution that the then-Non-Aligned Movement was trying to pass on 3 July, calling, amongst other things, for the immediate withdrawal of some military forces – but you must understand, in the immediate aftermath of a war, that would have been controversial. Anyway, we abstained but that resolution was not carried, in any case. I hope that illustrates the point that Singapore has taken a consistent position throughout all these years. We still believe in the two-state solution, that the settlements are illegal and the sooner that it is resolved, the better.”