U.S. President Joe Biden and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hold talks on strengthening bilateral ties.

• During their meeting in Washington, Biden and Lee discussed a range of topics including ASEAN, Ukraine, North Korea, Burma, economic ties, and security links.
• Lee began a week-long working visit to the United States on Saturday.

On Tuesday, at the White House, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed Indo-Pacific security, the Ukraine war, and investment opportunities between their countries.

Lee began a week-long working visit to the United States on Saturday.

The White House Press Office transcribed remarks from Biden and Lee's joint press conference that took place at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time, following their meeting.

President Biden

It's an honor to welcome Prime Minister Lee to the White House today. I am proud to say that the partnership between Singapore and the United States is as close and as strong as it has ever been.

We are collaborating to maintain a rules-based international order, upholding the UN's founding principles, and promoting a future for the Indo-Pacific that is both open and free.

In the future, Prime Minister Lee and I are dedicated to the importance of ASEAN and its significance in our actions. I am excited to welcome ASEAN leaders to Washington, D.C. for a Special Summit this spring.

In addition to our discussion on various issues related to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, we emphasized the importance of ensuring that all nations in the region, including China, adhere to the principles that promote a free and open region.

Both Singapore and the United States are dedicated to ensuring the freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted movement of maritime trade in the South China Sea.

We discussed our worries regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's ballistic missile launches, which are evidently in violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions.

We both urge North Korea to stop making provocations and to return to the negotiation table for diplomacy.

The ongoing suffering and violence in Burma, resulting from the military coup that caused a humanitarian crisis and reversed a decade of democratic and economic progress for the people of Burma, deeply concerns both of us.

The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus must be urgently implemented by the military regime in Burma, as agreed upon by Singapore and the United States.

The NATO Alliance, G7, and European Union showed strong unity in responding to Putin's unjustified assault on Ukraine last week in Europe.

The Prime Minister's visit and Singapore's strong stance on the issue make it clear that Putin's war is unacceptable to nations worldwide, not just in Europe, but in every region. This is a violation of core international principles that underpin peace, security, and prosperity everywhere, including in the Indo-Pacific.

The message to all nations is clear: Singapore and the United States stand united in asserting that all nations, regardless of their size or population, have equal rights on the global stage. They have the right to sovereignty and territorial integrity and to determine their own future free from violence and intimidation.

Our nations have a long history of close cooperation on security and counterterrorism, as well as deep commercial and economic ties. Additionally, we have developed deep personal ties, which I must acknowledge.

We will continue to strengthen our partnership and take advantage of opportunities to address current challenges, such as fighting Covid-19 and preparing for future pandemics. Additionally, we will work together to increase our climate ambitions and decarbonize the shipping sector. We will also cooperate on cybersecurity and space exploration. Furthermore, we will promote economic growth throughout the Indo-Pacific by developing an Indo-Pacific economic framework that will ensure long-term prosperity in the region.

Our shared vision is to create a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is connected, prosperous, and more secure, and more resilient. I believe that the U.S.-Singapore partnership is crucial in achieving this future.

Thank you, Prime Minister Lee, for always being a valuable resource to consult with. Your contributions to Singapore are impressive, and I appreciate the time we spend together. I eagerly anticipate our next meeting.

The floor is yours.

Prime Minister Lee

Thank you, President Biden.  Thank you for those warm remarks.

Thank you, President Biden, for the warm welcome that my delegation and I have received.

Since our last meeting in Rome at the G20 Summit, significant changes have occurred. The current international uncertainties and crises emphasize the importance of countries collaborating with their closest allies and partners. Singapore values America's dedication to engage with Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

This morning, we had a productive conversation with President Biden about our ongoing partnership with the U.S. and our mutual dedication to maintaining a stable, rules-based international system.

Nearly 80 years, the U.S. has been an important and constructive player in the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore has consistently supported a strong U.S. presence in the region through its words and actions.

Our economic, defense, and security cooperation is substantial, as is our strong people-to-people ties.

Singapore ranks as the second-largest Asian investor in the U.S., while the U.S. holds the position of the largest investor in Singapore. These investments and exports between the two countries sustain more than 250,000 American jobs.

The U.S. has designated Singapore as its only Major Security Cooperation Partner on the defense front.

Singapore has granted the U.S. military access to its air and naval bases for more than 30 years through a defense cooperation MOU signed in 1990 and renewed in 2019.

In addition to our current areas of cooperation, we are now expanding into new territories such as cybersecurity, digital economy, sustainable development, and even space.

Singapore values President Biden's leadership in enhancing U.S. involvement in the region. We are excited about his plans to host an ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit in our country soon. This is a clear indication of the United States' dedication to Southeast Asia and the importance of ASEAN centrality.

The President and I talked about the significance of the U.S. increasing its strategic and economic interests in the Asia-Pacific region. It is crucial to promote an open, inclusive, current, and adaptable economic agenda.

We welcome America's proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to enhance its involvement in the developing economic landscape of the region.

I spoke with the President about his recent trip to Europe and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Singapore is a firm believer in international law and the U.N. Charter, which prohibits aggression against a sovereign state. As such, we have strongly condemned Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

Respecting the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all countries, regardless of their size, is crucial. Unprovoked military invasions of sovereign countries for any reason are unacceptable.

It is not acceptable for any country to claim that another country's independence is a result of historical mistakes and irrational choices.

I informed President Biden about the steps Singapore has taken to limit Russia's ability to wage war against Ukraine. Our actions are guided by principles that are essential to our survival and sovereignty as a nation.

Over many decades, we have consistently adhered to these principles and made decisions in accordance with them at the U.N. during various crises involving different countries.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine could have repercussions on the Asia-Pacific region, as there are also tensions and disputes in our area that require careful handling to prevent an escalation to full-scale war.

To prevent a catastrophic outcome, countries in the region must work towards resolving conflicts peacefully.

To prevent conflict and misinterpretation of intentions, it is crucial to maintain open dialogue channels between countries, particularly at the highest level.

To foster cooperation and interdependence in the Asia-Pacific, we must develop inclusive constructs such as the APEC Leaders' Meeting and the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The U.S. has long-standing strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific and many allies in the region who hope you will remain actively and consistently engaged. Additionally, I am confident that Singapore's relationship with the U.S. will continue to flourish in this regional context.

Thank you very much.