Official Visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Nikol Pashinyan, 7 to 9 July 2019

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Nikol Pashinyan, received an Official Welcome Ceremony at the Istana this morning, and called on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He was also hosted to an Official Lunch by Prime Minister Lee.

2 During the meetings, the leaders reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and Armenia, building on close historical ties and common interests as small states. President Halimah and Prime Minister Pashinyan welcomed efforts to strengthen economic, people-to-people and cultural ties. Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Pashinyan reaffirmed their strong support for the speedy conclusion of the negotiations for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement which would strengthen economic ties between the two regions as well as enhance bilateral ties. Prime Minister Lee thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for the progress made in the negotiations during Armenia’s current Chairmanship of the EAEU.

3 Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Pashinyan also witnessed the exchange of one agreement and four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) which will help strengthen bilateral ties:

a)     Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTA).The DTA will enhance cross-border trade and investment between both countries.

b)    MOU on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation. The MOU will provide opportunities for the sharing of tourism knowledge and best practices.

c)     MOU on Cooperation in the fields of Culture and Arts. The MOU will encourage cooperation between our cultural institutions, and further develop our people-to-people ties.

d)    MOU between Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (IBNASRA) and National Parks (NParks) Board of Singapore through Singapore Botanic Gardens. The agreement will strengthen collaborations on knowledge and plant exchange.

e)     MOU on collaborations in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. ITE Education Services (ITEES) and the National Centre for Vocational Education and Training Development (NCVETD). This is to collaborate in the field of technical and vocational education and training in Armenia.

4 Prime Minister Pashinyan will be attending the Singapore-Armenia Business Roundtable this afternoon, organised by the Singapore Business Federation. He will call on Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and visit the Economic Development Board (EDB) tomorrow.

5 Prime Minister Pashinyan will depart Singapore tomorrow afternoon.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

8 JULY 2019

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan receives an Official Welcome Ceremony at the Istana, 8 July 2019. Photo credits: MFA

Call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Istana, 8 July 2019. Photo Credits: MFA