State visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Singapore

The President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam gave a state dinner in honor of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Singapore on a state visit. In his toast, President Sargsyan first of all expressed gratitude to the President of Singapore and the leadership of the country for the warm welcome. Then he spoke about the rich history of the Armenian-Singaporean relations, their present and promising future. President Sargsyan spoke also about the friendly relations of the two nations which have deep roots.

“Despite their sparsity, the Armenians have brought their worthy participation to different areas of Singapore’s social and economic life, which in my opinion is also influenced by your people since small quantity and great quality are intrinsic to the talented people of Singapore.

I am deeply grateful to the Government of Singapore for its attention toward the Armenian community and the artifacts of the Armenian historical heritage present on the territory of Singapore. I believe that today too the small Armenian community of Singapore brings its positive participation to the economic, political and cultural development of the country and contributes to the building of the Armenian-Singaporean relations. The existence of the Armenian community is the best proof that multicultural society in Singapore is a reality. It also testifies to the fact that a citizen of Singapore is judged not by his or her ethnic or religious affiliation but by his or her decency, education, abilities and diligence.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have spoken about the Armenian-Singaporean relations, about the Armenian community, about common values and characteristics of our two nations. However, I will be frank – today, our ambitions are much more than that, and I believe that all mentioned above has created a solid base for the development of a qualitatively new level of the interstate relations.

The Armenian-Singaporean relations entered a new phase in 2009 when the founding Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew visited Armenia. We are deeply impressed by the political, economic and social advancement of Singapore. Armenia has much to learn from Singapore’s national model, which ensures economic prosperity and social justice. With this regard, allow me to mention a shrewd recommendation made by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in Yerevan. It stays vivid in my memory, “You should educate people, must make them live and think as citizens of the first class country. Look toward Europe, America and I would also say, toward Eastern Asia.” Can I neglect such a precious advice?” President Serzh Sargsyan said.

Underscoring that the current state visit by the Armenian President is the first in the history of the bilateral relations, which verifies that the Armenian-Singaporean interstate relations have reached a certain milestone, Serzh Sargsyan said that he was impressed with Singapore’s achievements and with his meetings with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee.

“This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. I trust it compels us to do our best to help our people learn more about each other and move our relations upward,” President Sargsyan underlined.