Shawn Tan
Image credit: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore and Indonesia are discussing plans to open a ‘reciprocal green lane’ for essential travel, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Aug 25. Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi have agreed that both countries should work closely together, especially in these turbulent times. The initiative will help to strengthen cooperation between the two neighbours. Allowing essential travel will also enhance growth in the two countries. These areas include finance, public health and safe travel.
“Given the strong business links between Singapore and Indonesia, the two foreign ministers tasked the officials to begin discussions on a ‘reciprocal green lane’ to allow for essential travel to gradually resume in a manner that would safeguard public health and safety in both countries,” said MFA in a statement.
Ms Retno was on a three-day visit to Singapore and was hosted to lunch by Dr Balakrishnan. She also paid a courtesy call on PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on Aug 25. The two leaders are both on the same page when it comes to continued dialogue. Both countries have to come and work together to overcome the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Also read: Travel Bubbles: How They Work & If Asia Can Pull This Off Too!
Giving the green light to more green lanes
Should the reciprocal green lane between Singapore and Indonesia be successfully established, it will be another win for both countries. Singapore has already opened up reciprocal green lanes with Malaysia and China, while for Indonesia, they have existing arrangements with South Korea, China and the United Arab Emirates.
Here’s hoping that Singapore and Indonesia’s plan will eventually get the green light to proceed.
