Singapore and Malaysia agreed to conduct measures to ease air and maritime tensions, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between their foreign ministers on 8 January.

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrisnan (R) and his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah. (Source: thestar.com.my)

Both sides reiterated their commitment to preserving the vital relationship between the two countries and to improving bilateral ties on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

They also agreed on the importance of keeping the situation on the ground calm so as to allow discussions to take place in a conducive atmosphere.

The measures include the simultaneous suspension of a restricted area in Malaysia near the border with Singapore and instrument landing procedures at Singapore’s Seletar airport.

On the maritime front, the two sides agreed to the establishment of a working group to discuss issues around port limits. Last month, Singapore protested against Malaysia’s plan to extend the limits of a port saying it would encroach upon the former’s territorial waters.

(Source: VNA)