I've returned to Singapore from my visit to Hungary for the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. ASEM, which consists of 48 members, was established in 1996 to promote dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Besides developments in Asia and Europe, this year's discussions also touched on topics like dthe world economy, reform of the international financial system, counter-terrorism, food security, and disaster management. During the meeting, I proposed that Singapore host an ASEM seminar on nuclear safety in 2012 that would allow for countries to share their experiences and best practices. I believe that the Fukushima crisis and its impact on the region has emphasised the need for countries to discuss and agree to international standards of nuclear safety.
With the increasing prices of traditional sources of energy like oil, it may be impractical for countries to avoid the use of nuclear energy completely. However, countries can help themselves and reassure their neighbours by implementing internationally-recognised safety measures in their peaceful development of nuclear energy. Singapore will work with its partners in Asia and Europe over the next few months to organise a nuclear safety seminar. I hope that this seminar helps to kickstart a gradual consolidation of a global nuclear safety regime. Although Singapore has no immediate plans to develop nuclear energy, international standards of nuclear safety would hold immense benefits for us, as nuclear accidents could potentially affect non-nuclear states.