MFA Press Statement: State Visit Of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - Call On President S R Nathan And Call By Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew At The Istana, 15 November 2009

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is on a State Visit to Singapore at the invitation of President S R Nathan from 15-16 November 2009. President Medvedev called on President Nathan and received a call by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana today. He was also hosted to a state banquet by President Nathan.

At the call on President Nathan, both leaders agreed that bilateral relations were warm and friendly. There was potential to strengthen relations even further, in areas such as increasing people-to-people relations. To give impetus to bilateral relations, the leaders discussed the establishment of an Inter-Governmental Commission which would be co-chaired at a high level. The Inter-Governmental Commission is expected to explore and promote broad-based cooperation in a variety of fields. President Nathan and President Medvedev also discussed the outcome of the recently-concluded APEC Economic Leaders Summit.

At the call by Minister Mentor Lee, both leaders had a good discussion on international and regional issues. President Medvedev also conferred an Order of Friendship award on Minister Mentor Lee for "outstanding contribution to the development of Russia-Singapore relationship". A write-up on the award is attached.

President Medvedev would be meeting PM Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong tomorrow.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 NOVEMBER 2009

Information on the award (as provided by the Russian Embassy)
The Order of Friendship is a state decoration of Russia established by decree # 442 of March 2, 1994 of the President of the Russian Federation.
The statute and overall design is based on these of the Order of Friendship of Peoples of the Soviet Union.

Statute
The Order of Friendship is bestowed upon Russian citizens for their significant contribution into the strengthening of friendship and cooperation of nations and nationalities, high achievements in the development of economic and scientific potential of Russia, for exceptionally fruitful activities in mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and nationalities and in bringing them together, for strengthening the peace and friendly relations between states.
The Order of Friendship is to be placed on the left side of the chest, and if other orders of the Russian Federation are present, then it is placed after the Order of Honor.

Description
The badge of the Order of Friendship is made of silver, enameled and gilded. It is shaped as a pentagonal star created from pencils of diverging golden rays. Upon the center of the star placed is an image of the terrestrial globe, with details covered with colored enamel. The globe is encircled by a wreath of olive branches covered with green enamel. There are red dots along the wreath. On the reverse there is an inscription "Мир и дружба" ("Peace and Friendship") and the serial number of the order. The distance between the opposite tips of the star is 44 mm.
The badge of the order is connected by a loop and a ring to a pentagonal ribbon of silk moiré of light blue color with green stripes along its edges. The width of the ribbon is 24 mm, the width of the stripes are 6 mm.

Citation of the award
According to Russian Embassy, this is the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation 1254 from November 7, 2009 and the English translation reads:

"To award Order of Friendship to Minister-Mentor of Singapore H.E. Lee Kuan Yew for outstanding contribution to the development of Russia-Singapore relationship".