The prime ministers of Singapore and Hungary met on Tuesday to assert bilateral relations between the two regions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was on a two-day official visit to Singapore. His presence was acknowledged with a ceremonial welcome following a meeting with President Halimah Yacob at the Istana. He then attended the Singapore-Hungary business forum on Wednesday, the second and final day of his visit.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was pleased to address a joint media conference with his Hungarian coequal as he noted that relations between the two regions are growing steadily.
As stated by Channel NewsAsia, Lee indicated that Hungary provides an excellent gateway for Singapore and ASEAN to Central and Eastern Europe.
On his first official visit as Prime Minister, Orban, speaking in Hungarian also said there are several Singapore origin companies that have fairly large investments in Hungary.
Three Memos of understanding were signed between Singapore and Hungary on Tuesday.
- The first one was signed to improve air transport that will permit Singapore and Hungarian airlines to fly any number of direct services between their countries, free from restrictions.
- The second agreement was signed to foster student exchange programmes in educational institutions in which Singapore citizens will be given scholarships to study in Hungarian institutions.
- The third memo was signed to improve coordination in areas relating to food safety between Singapore and Hungary.
According to Mr Lee, these agreements will further strengthen bilateral relations and encourage greater people-to-people ties.
IBTimes Singapore has compiled a series of images of the meeting of the prime ministers.
