The Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Kazakhstan sign agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters　

The Governments of the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Kazakhstan have signed a treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

The agreement was signed by Singapore's Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr Edwin Tong SC and Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General Berik Assylov, during the 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors. 

This is Singapore's first treaty of its kind with a Central Asian state and aims to enhance cooperation and crime prevention  through a framework for mutual legal assistance, including sharing information, executing searches and confiscating assets related to criminal activities. 

Minister Tong highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between Singapore and Kazakhstan, noting their bilateral cooperation is thriving across economic, security and legal fields. He emphasized that the new treaty marks a significant step in their shared commitment to combat transnational crime and expressed confidence that it will enhance legal collaboration. 

Prior to the signing ceremony, Minister Tong and Prosecutor General Assylov also exchanged views on several topics, and anticipated further strengthening of ties between the two nations.