President Halimah Yacob, who is in Germany on a State Visit, was received by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Schloss Bellevue in Berlin this morning. Following the official welcome ceremony, both Presidents had a bilateral meeting. During the meeting, President Halimah and President Steinmeier reaffirmed the excellent ties and longstanding friendship between the two countries. They discussed common challenges and scope for more bilateral collaboration in the areas of education as well as research and development. Both leaders also had a wide-ranging discussion on international and regional developments.
Earlier in the day, President Halimah met with Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Federal Chancellery. They reviewed the excellent and multifaceted cooperation enjoyed by both countries in many areas including education, economy, defence and culture. They also welcomed the entry-into-force of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement which will further deepen the strong economic links between Singapore and Germany.
President Halimah also met with Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller. Both welcomed the growing links between Singapore and Berlin, and agreed to continue working closely to forge closer ties.
In the evening, President Steinmeier will host a State Banquet in honour of President and Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee.
Tomorrow, President Halimah will attend a networking tea with Singapore companies in Germany. President Halimah will then fly to Frankfurt, where she will attend a reception hosted for overseas Singaporeans.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
10 DECEMBER 2019