Middle East Oil Countries can Help Maintain Security in the Singapore-Malaysia Strait

According to Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" report on December 11, the safety of international waterways is closely related to global energy supply. In this regard, the Middle East countries, as the world's major oil exporters, can help maintain the Malacca Strait and Singapore in the region. Strait security. Zaino, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed this view on the issue of maintaining energy and maritime security at the third International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit held in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

Zaino pointed out that due to the rapid economic development in Asia, its demand for energy, especially oil and natural gas, will increase rapidly in the future. Most of the oil currently purchased from the Middle East is shipped to other Asian countries through the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Singapore. , therefore ensuring the safety of the waters in this region and unimpeded navigation is also of vital interest to the Gulf countries.

Zaino said that by 2030, the global demand for energy will increase by more than 50% compared with today, and it is estimated that up to 11 million barrels of oil are shipped to other places every day through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Another important waterway is the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf, through which up to 15 million barrels of oil are transported every day.

According to a recent ship navigation survey conducted by Japan, about 30% of the ships sailing through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore in the year before last were coming from or heading to ports in Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Amman and Kuwait.

At the meeting, Zaino urged the Gulf countries to help strengthen maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. He said that the Gulf countries can build on the open and inclusive cooperation established by the three coastal countries of Singapore, Malaysia and India with other stakeholders. way, play a role.

He said that the region has officially implemented the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) initiated and signed by Japan, and has established an information sharing center in Singapore. The three coastal countries of Singapore, Malaysia and India also cooperate in maritime and air patrols to jointly maintain the security of the Strait waters.

He mentioned that major countries that import oil from the Middle East, such as China, Japan and South Korea, have become relevant stakeholders in ensuring the security of the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 10th saying that Zaino has paid an official visit to Manama, the capital of Bahrain, for two days starting today at the invitation of Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid.

During his visit, he will meet with many government leaders including the Crown Prince of Bahrain, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Information. In addition, Zaino will also meet with Singaporeans working and living in Bahrain and be invited to attend the launch ceremony of “Bahrain Bay”. "Bahrain Bay" is a new project jointly developed by CapitaLand and local business partners in Bahrain.