'Important for cool heads to prevail', says Vivian as ASEAN neighbours tackle haze issue维维安表示，“保持冷静至关重要”，此时东盟邻国正努力解决雾霾问题。
JAKARTA — Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has called for "cool heads to prevail" as Singapore and Indonesia work together to tackle the long-running regional haze problem.Speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (Oct 28), he said differences in priorities and approaches were to be expected, but both countries needed to maintain open communication and seek constructive...
JAKARTA — Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has called for "cool heads to prevail" as Singapore and Indonesia work together to tackle the long-running regional haze problem.
Speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (Oct 28), he said differences in priorities and approaches were to be expected, but both countries needed to maintain open communication and seek constructive solutions.
"Precisely at a moment like this, it's important for cool heads to prevail, for direct, honest, candid, constructive conversations to be had, and for us to look for a collective approach."
Dr Balakrishnan noted that haze has been a problem in Southeast Asia for nearly three decades, adding: "That's far too long, and we do need to find solutions.
"And in the case of Singapore, we are also exploring enhancing our legislative policy tools to keep companies accountable and to make sure that everyone does what they need to do.
"I think the last few weeks with the haze In Singapore, has been a period of concern, anxiety, mood. Has been a difficult time for many families back in Singapore. I completely understand that, and we had to respond. No doubt about that.
He said Singapore was also exploring ways to strengthen its legislative and policy tools to hold companies accountable for their role in forest fires.
On Tuesday, Singapore and Indonesia agreed to explore setting up a joint task force to hold companies accountable for forest fires linked to transboundary haze .
Singapore stresses preparedness, regional cooperation
Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has to remain prepared for future crises by diversifying sources of essential supplies and building up reserves, allowing the country to cope "calmly, comprehensively and confidently".
He also said Singapore's ASEAN chairmanship in 2027 would provide an opportunity to deepen regional integration and strengthen partnerships, adding that building resilience at home and strengthening ties with neighbouring countries would be key to these efforts.
Singapore would also seek to expand partnerships globally, particularly to secure essential supplies amid an increasingly uncertain world.
The two countries also agreed to establish a ministerial- and senior-official-level hotline to address bilateral issues.
helmy.saat@asiaone.com
雅加达——新加坡外交部长维文·巴拉克里希南博士呼吁新加坡和印度尼西亚“保持冷静”，共同努力解决长期存在的区域雾霾问题。
周三（10月28日），他在雅加达对记者表示，两国在优先事项和方法上存在差异是可以预料的，但两国需要保持开放的沟通，并寻求建设性的解决方案。
“正是在这样的时刻，保持冷静的头脑至关重要，我们需要进行直接、诚实、坦率、建设性的对话，并寻求集体的解决方案。”
巴拉克里希南博士指出，雾霾在东南亚已经是一个存在了近三十年的问题，并补充说：“时间太长了，我们确实需要找到解决办法。”
“就新加坡而言，我们也正在探索加强立法政策工具，以追究企业的责任，并确保每个人都做自己应该做的事情。”
“我认为过去几周新加坡的雾霾天气，让人们感到担忧、焦虑和情绪低落。对于许多新加坡家庭来说，这是一段艰难的时期。我完全理解，我们必须做出回应。这一点毋庸置疑。”
他表示，新加坡也在探索如何加强立法和政策工具，以追究企业在森林火灾中所扮演的角色。
周二，新加坡和印度尼西亚同意探讨成立联合工作组，追究与跨境烟霾有关的森林火灾相关公司的责任。
新加坡强调做好准备，加强区域合作
巴拉克里希南博士表示，新加坡必须通过多元化基本物资供应来源和建立储备，为未来的危机做好准备，使该国能够“冷静、全面、自信地”应对危机。
他还表示，新加坡在 2027 年担任东盟轮值主席国将为深化区域一体化和加强伙伴关系提供契机，并补充说，增强国内韧性和加强与邻国的关系将是实现这些努力的关键。
新加坡还将寻求扩大全球合作伙伴关系，尤其是在世界日益不确定的情况下，以确保基本物资供应。
两国还同意设立部长级和高级官员级热线，以处理双边问题。
helmy.saat@asiaone.com