The Chief of the Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces (FAF), General (GEN) Jean-Louis Georgelin, was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [or Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President S R Nathan at the Istana this afternoon.
The medal was awarded to GEN Georgelin for his significant contributions in strengthening the excellent defence ties between the FAF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Under his leadership, professional military exchanges and defence collaborations between the two forces have grown in scope and depth. In particular, GEN Georgelin's support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Advanced Jet Training detachment in Cazaux has enabled RSAF pilots to hone their flying skills and benefit professionally from regular contact with their French counterparts. GEN Georgelin has also been instrumental in ensuring the smooth progress of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Frigate Programme, providing invaluable training opportunities for the RSN frigate crew. These professional and personal interactions have enhanced the mutual understanding and rapport between the officers and men of the two armed forces.
GEN Georgelin, who is in Singapore for a two-day visit from 25 to 26 November 2009, called on Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Desmond Kuek and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Istana before the investiture. Guests at the investiture included Mr Teo, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, LG Kuek, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and France.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Prataman meets Russian President DMITRY MEDVEDEV
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is on a State Visit to Singapore at the invitation of President S R Nathan from 15-16 November 2009. President Medvedev called on President Nathan and received a call by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana today. He was also hosted to a state banquet by President Nathan.
At the call on President Nathan, both leaders agreed that bilateral relations were warm and friendly. There was potential to strengthen relations even further, in areas such as increasing people-to-people relations. To give impetus to bilateral relations, the leaders discussed the establishment of an Inter-Governmental Commission which would be co-chaired at a high level. The Inter-Governmental Commission is expected to explore and promote broad-based cooperation in a variety of fields. President Nathan and President Medvedev also discussed the outcome of the recently-concluded APEC Economic Leaders Summit.
At the call by Minister Mentor Lee, both leaders had a good discussion on international and regional issues. President Medvedev also conferred an Order of Friendship award on Minister Mentor Lee for “outstanding contribution to the development of Russia-Singapore relationship”.
He also meet Pinkie and Lau Goh.
At the call on President Nathan, both leaders agreed that bilateral relations were warm and friendly. There was potential to strengthen relations even further, in areas such as increasing people-to-people relations. To give impetus to bilateral relations, the leaders discussed the establishment of an Inter-Governmental Commission which would be co-chaired at a high level. The Inter-Governmental Commission is expected to explore and promote broad-based cooperation in a variety of fields. President Nathan and President Medvedev also discussed the outcome of the recently-concluded APEC Economic Leaders Summit.
At the call by Minister Mentor Lee, both leaders had a good discussion on international and regional issues. President Medvedev also conferred an Order of Friendship award on Minister Mentor Lee for “outstanding contribution to the development of Russia-Singapore relationship”.
He also meet Pinkie and Lau Goh.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Singapore receives Panda gift from China
SINGAPORE is getting a pair of black and white furry envoys from China to mark the milestone of 20 years of diplomatic relations.
Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao announced on Wednesday at an Istana state banquet that a pair of giant pandas will be delivered to Singapore, as he expressed confidence that Singapore-Sino relations will reach 'a new high'.
The endangered creatures, which China rarely sends overseas, will arrive here in 2011 and Chinese diplomacy experts believe it is a sign of deepening friendship between the two nations.
'It reflects the importance of Singapore in China's foreign policy. Beijing does not send out pandas lightly,' said international relations analyst Shi Yinhong of Renmin University.
Singapore joins an exclusive club of overseas panda hosts, becoming only the seventh country since 1994 to receive the black and white creatures from China.
The pair of pandas, a one-year-old female and a two-year-old male, are from the Wolong panda reserve in China's south-western Sichuan province.
Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao announced on Wednesday at an Istana state banquet that a pair of giant pandas will be delivered to Singapore, as he expressed confidence that Singapore-Sino relations will reach 'a new high'.
The endangered creatures, which China rarely sends overseas, will arrive here in 2011 and Chinese diplomacy experts believe it is a sign of deepening friendship between the two nations.
'It reflects the importance of Singapore in China's foreign policy. Beijing does not send out pandas lightly,' said international relations analyst Shi Yinhong of Renmin University.
Singapore joins an exclusive club of overseas panda hosts, becoming only the seventh country since 1994 to receive the black and white creatures from China.
The pair of pandas, a one-year-old female and a two-year-old male, are from the Wolong panda reserve in China's south-western Sichuan province.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Buzy month for SG leaders this November 2009
Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here on Wednesday for a state visit and the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
President Hu released a statement upon arrival at the Singapore Changi International Airport, saying he was ready to work for new progress in bilateral relations through this visit.
In the statement, Hu said China and Singapore were friendly neighbors and the two peoples enjoyed a time-honored and profound friendship.
Hu said, since the two countries established diplomatic ties in October 1990, the bilateral relationship had made rapid progress, with fruitful practical cooperation and close coordination in international and regional affairs.
During the state visit, at the invitation of Singapore President S. R. Nathan, Hu will meet with Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other senior officials, and will also have extensive contacts with people of various sectors.
China is now the third largest trade partner of Singapore, while Singapore is the 10th largest trade partner of China. Bilateral trade reached 52.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, up 10.5 percent over the previous year. In October last year, the two countries signed a free trade agreement, which came into force two months later.
In Singapore, Hu will also attend the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC) and elaborate China's proposition on economic, trade and other major issues.
"I look forward to attending the 17th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to exchange views with leaders of other APEC members on deepening Asia-Pacific cooperation and making contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity," Hu said in the statement.
Hu will also address the APEC CEO Summit on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.
Under the theme "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region," leaders at the Singapore meeting will address the major issues related to overcoming the global financial crisis and promoting a sustainable economic recovery in the post-crisis world.
Established in 1989, APEC has 21 members, which account for about 41 percent of the world's population, 56 percent of world GDP and about 49 percent of world trade.
APEC's 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
APEC has developed into a premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC 2009 will focus on overcoming the economic crisis and positioning member economies for a sustainable recovery in the post-crisis world.
The annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, inaugurated in November 1993, was designed to set the strategic policy direction for APEC.
At the end of the meeting, the APEC Economic Leaders' declaration will be issued, outlining the shared views of leaders on key topics and setting the strategic direction of APEC for the forthcoming year.
The Chinese leader flew into Singapore from Malaysia where he concluded a one-day state visit.
President Hu released a statement upon arrival at the Singapore Changi International Airport, saying he was ready to work for new progress in bilateral relations through this visit.
In the statement, Hu said China and Singapore were friendly neighbors and the two peoples enjoyed a time-honored and profound friendship.
Hu said, since the two countries established diplomatic ties in October 1990, the bilateral relationship had made rapid progress, with fruitful practical cooperation and close coordination in international and regional affairs.
During the state visit, at the invitation of Singapore President S. R. Nathan, Hu will meet with Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other senior officials, and will also have extensive contacts with people of various sectors.
China is now the third largest trade partner of Singapore, while Singapore is the 10th largest trade partner of China. Bilateral trade reached 52.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, up 10.5 percent over the previous year. In October last year, the two countries signed a free trade agreement, which came into force two months later.
In Singapore, Hu will also attend the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC) and elaborate China's proposition on economic, trade and other major issues.
"I look forward to attending the 17th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to exchange views with leaders of other APEC members on deepening Asia-Pacific cooperation and making contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity," Hu said in the statement.
Hu will also address the APEC CEO Summit on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.
Under the theme "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region," leaders at the Singapore meeting will address the major issues related to overcoming the global financial crisis and promoting a sustainable economic recovery in the post-crisis world.
Established in 1989, APEC has 21 members, which account for about 41 percent of the world's population, 56 percent of world GDP and about 49 percent of world trade.
APEC's 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
APEC has developed into a premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC 2009 will focus on overcoming the economic crisis and positioning member economies for a sustainable recovery in the post-crisis world.
The annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, inaugurated in November 1993, was designed to set the strategic policy direction for APEC.
At the end of the meeting, the APEC Economic Leaders' declaration will be issued, outlining the shared views of leaders on key topics and setting the strategic direction of APEC for the forthcoming year.
The Chinese leader flew into Singapore from Malaysia where he concluded a one-day state visit.
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