MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey His Excellency Ahmet Davutoğlu, 3 July 2013

OFFICIAL VISIT BY

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

HIS EXCELLENCY AHMET DAVUTOĞLU

3 JULY 2013

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu is in Singapore on an official visit at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam.  This is Minister Davutoğlu’s first official visit to Singapore.  He is accompanied by his wife Mrs Sare Davutoğlu and officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Davutoğlu called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this evening.  During their meetings, Prime Minister Lee and President Tan re-affirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Turkey, and expressed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties.  Minister Davutoğlu updated our leaders on recent developments in Turkey and the Middle East.  The  leaders also exchanged views on developments in Europe and Asia. 

Minister Davutoğlu subsequently met with, and was hosted to dinner by Minister Shanmugam.  The two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further enhance ties.  They also had a wide-ranging discussion on various regional and international issues.  Minister Shanmugam and Minister Davutoğlu signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation and exchanges between the diplomatic academies of Singapore and Turkey in the training of diplomats.

Minister Davutoğlu also called on Speaker of Parliament Madam Halimah Yacob earlier this afternoon. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 JULY 2013