MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the Republic of Turkey, 5-6 Oct 2016

Call by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yıldırım in Ankara, 5 October 2016 (Photo Credit: Prime Ministry, Republic of Turkey)

Call by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yıldırım in Ankara, 5 October 2016 (Photo Credit: Prime Ministry, Republic of Turkey)

    Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is making an official visit to Turkey from 5 to 6 October 2016, called on Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım in Ankara today.  He was also hosted to lunch by Acting Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mehmet Akif Hamzaçebi.  Chairman of the Singapore-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group Halis Dalkılıç was also present at the lunch.

    During the meetings, they reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and Turkey, and their commitment to develop an even stronger partnership.  They had fruitful discussions on ways to deepen economic links and civil aviation cooperation.  Prime Minister Yıldırım and Mr Hamzaçebi expressed strong support for the Turkey-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and its expeditious ratification by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.  In addition to bilateral cooperation, Minister Balakrishnan also discussed regional developments with Turkish leaders.

    Earlier in the day, Minister Balakrishnan visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and laid a wreath.   

    Minister Balakrishnan will be meeting and be hosted to a working breakfast by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu tomorrow.  He will also visit Antalya where he will view NParks’ “City in a Garden” exhibition at the EXPO 2016 Antalya, meet Mayor of Antalya Menderes Türel, and attend a dinner hosted by Governor of Antalya Münir Karaloğlu. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 OCTOBER 2016