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MFA Press Release: Condolence Letters from Singapore Leaders on the Passing of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, 18 June 2017
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Germany
18 June 2017
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have written condolence letters on the passing of former German Chancellor, Mr Helmut Kohl, to Chancellor Angela Merkel a...
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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have written condolence letters on the passing of former German Chancellor, Mr Helmut Kohl, to Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mr Kohl’s widow, Mrs Maike Kohl-Richter, respectively. The letters are appended. |
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
18 JUNE 2017
Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Excellency Angela Merkel
17 June 2017
[Dear Chancellor Merkel,]
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mr Kohl was one of the greatest statesmen in his time. He was a true champion of integration. He reunited East and West Germany after the Berlin Wall fell. He was also the architect of the Maastricht Treaty which established the European Union.
He was also a good friend of Singapore, and contributed greatly to the close bilateral ties we enjoy today.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany.
[Yours sincerely]
LEE HSIEN LOONG
Her Excellency Dr Angela Merkel
Chancellor
Federal Republic of Germany
Letter from Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to Mrs Maike Kohl-Richter
18 June 2017
Mrs Maike Kohl-Richter
Office of Former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl
German Parliament
11011 Berlin
[Dear Mrs Kohl-Richter,]
I am saddened and sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved husband, Helmut Kohl.
I had always respected Helmut as a fellow Head of Government and a friend. We met several times when we were in office.
I had visited him in Germany, as well as hosted his visit to Singapore in November 1995. In June 1997, Helmut and I launched the Global Initiative on Sustainable Development in New York, together with the leaders of Brazil and South Africa. We also participated in several ASEM Summits and held bilateral meetings on their sidelines. Our personal ties were warm and our countries’ bilateral ties are strong.
Helmut’s passing is a loss for all of us. I will always cherish our friendship and memories.
[Yours sincerely]
GOH CHOK TONG