MFA Press Statement: State Visit to Singapore by the President of the Portuguese Republic His Excellency Aníbal Cavaco Silva, 27 to 28 May 2012

At an official ceremony held at the Istana this morning, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan welcomed President of the Portuguese Republic Mr Aníbal Cavaco Silva and First Lady Mrs Maria Cavaco Silva.  Following the ceremony, President Cavaco Silva paid a courtesy call on President Tan, and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. 

The leaders reaffirmed the friendly relations between Singapore and Portugal, and agreed that small outward-looking countries like Portugal and Singapore should strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.  President Cavaco Silva briefed President Tan and PM Lee on recent developments in Portugal and Europe, and underscored Portugal’s continued commitment to implement critical reforms and measures to restore economic growth and stability.  President Tan and PM Lee welcomed Portugal’s interest to step up its engagement of Singapore and Asia. 

President Tan and President Cavaco Silva then witnessed the signing of three agreements between Singapore and Portugal, namely the Protocol Amending the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, the Cooperation Agreement in the Fields of Education, Science, Technology, Higher Education, Culture, Arts, Youth, Sports and Media, and the Agreement on Air Transport.  The agreements were signed by Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Mr Masagos Zulkifli and Secretary of State of Portuguese Communities Abroad Mr José Cesário.

Prior to the official welcome ceremony, President and Mrs Cavaco Silva visited the National Orchid Gardens at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.  To mark the occasion of the State Visit, a new orchid hybrid, the Rhyncholaeliocattleya Maria Cavaco Silva,  was named after Mrs Cavaco Silva.

Following the meetings at the Istana, President Cavaco Silva participated in the Portugal-Singapore Business Forum, which is co-organised by the Singapore Business Federation and the AICEP Portugal Global, and delivered the closing remarks.  He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National University of Singapore and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa to collaborate and cooperate in maritime studies. 

President Cavaco Silva and his delegation then visited PSA and toured the Pasir Panjang Terminal.

This evening, President Tan and Mrs Mary Tan will host a State Banquet in honour of President and Mrs Cavaco Silva.  

President Cavaco Silva and his delegation will depart Singapore in the evening of 28 May 2012.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

28 MAY 2012