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 President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam met President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in the official residence of Istana.
Following the official welcoming ceremony, the two presidents were accompanied to a meeting hall. Panorama.am correspondent reported that Tony Tan Keng Yam stated in his speech although diplomatic relations between Armenia and Singapore were established 20 years ago, the two states were sharing century-old of relations.

“The Armenian community has had a pivotal role in our country. Armenians founded the first newspaper and the first Christian church in Singapore,” President Tony Tan Keng Yam said stressing that Armenians do have a great impact on their country.

Tony Tan Keng Yam offered his country’s support to Armenia and in particular exchange of experience taking into account Singapore’s successful experience in the system of administrative management.

President Serzh Sargsyan thanked for the reception and hailed the initiative expressing commitment to utilize Singapore’s experience of development either in administrative system, or economy, or high technologies.

In the same residence President Serzh Sargsyan has had a meeting with the incumbent Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also highlighted the significant role of the Armenian community in Singapore, particularly Armenian business community’s good name and special mission in developing the country’s commercial relations in the end of 19th century, thus the PM has expressed commitment to restore Armenian-Singaporean close economic relations.

Focusing on the potential of the two countries, Singapore’s PM has made an interesting remark. In particular, mentioning that a visit to Singapore Flyer is planned, the PM remarked that three countries – Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore could be seen from there. Noting that both Armenia and Singapore are small countries, the PM stated: “The size of the country cannot be an obstacle for the development.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as President Serzh Sargsyan, returned from Seoul yesterday, where they attended Nuclear Security Summit. In this respect, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong said: “Small countries cannot define routes in the international relations, however they are guided by the international norms.”

In the aftermath of negotiations with Singapore, certain documents have been signed between the two countries.

In the evening a state dinner will be held in honor to Armenian President on behalf of President of Singapore.