MFA Press Statement: State Visit to Singapore by the President of the Republic of Colombia, His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, 6 to 8 May 2012

The President of the Republic of Colombia, His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, will make a State Visit to Singapore from 6 to 8 May 2012, at the invitation of President Tony Tan Keng Yam. This will be the first State Visit to Singapore from the Republic of Colombia. 2012 also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Colombia.

President Santos will be accompanied by the First Lady of the Republic of Colombia, Mrs María Clemencia Rodríguez de Santos. In addition, his accompanying delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar; the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism His Excellency Sergio Díaz-Granados; the Minister of Mining and Energy His Excellency Mauricio Cárdenas Santa Maria; the Minister of Transport His Excellency Germán Cardona Gutiérrez; and the Minister of Agriculture His Excellency Juan Camilo Restrepo Salazar, as well as other senior officials. President Santos will also bring along a business delegation.

President Santos will be officially welcomed by President Tan at a ceremony at the Istana on 7 May 2012. Following the ceremony, President Santos will call on President Tan, and meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. President Tan and Mrs Mary Tan will host a State Banquet in honour of President and Mrs Santos that evening.

During his stay in Singapore, President and Mrs Santos will also visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where an orchid will be named in President Santos’ honour. Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade & Industry S Iswaran will host a business networking luncheon which President Santos will attend. President Santos will also visit the Institute of Technical Education East Campus and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 MAY 2012