MFA Press Statement: Visit of Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Community Development, Youth and Sports Mr Sam Tan to the Republic of Austria, 21-23 October 2012

          Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Community Development, Youth and Sports and Mayor of the Central Singapore District Mr Sam Tan visited Vienna, Austria, from 21 to 23 October 2012.  Mr Tan was accompanied by Singapore's Ambassador to Austria, Mr Soo Kok Leng, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

           During his visit to Vienna, Mr Tan met with Vice-Governor of Vienna Mrs Renate Brauner and officials from the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the Federal Ministry for Economy, Family and Youth.  In the meetings, Mr Tan reaffirmed the good relations between Singapore and Austria, and exchanged ideas on the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.  In addition, Mr Tan was hosted to lunches by Member of the Vienna City Council Mr Ernst Woller and Director-General for the Ministry of Arts and Culture Mr Norbert Riedel, where they discussed the possibilities for greater bilateral cultural cooperation.  Finally, Mr Tan also met with Members of the Austrian Parliament Dr Andreas Karlsböck, Dr Peter Fichtenbauer and Mr Johann Hell, during which they reaffirmed the importance of inter-parliamentary exchanges, looked forward to the conclusion of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and exchanged views on developments in Europe and Asia. 

          Mr Tan also had dinner with a group of Overseas Singaporeans living in Vienna, during which he updated them on developments in Singapore.

          Mr Tan will next visit Slovenia from 23 to 25 October 2012.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

24 OCTOBER 2012