Dutch queen to visit Singapore

SINGAPORE: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will make an inaugural state visit to Singapore from Wednesday to Friday.

Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said an official welcome ceremony will be held in honour of Queen Beatrix at the Istana on Thursday.

In addition to meetings with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr and Mrs Tan will also host a state banquet in honour of Queen Beatrix.

Queen Beatrix will also attend a "CEO Roundtable" organised by the Dutch Embassy in Singapore, and a networking event for Singapore and Dutch small and medium enterprises organised by SPRING Singapore.

These two events will provide opportunities for Dutch and Singapore business leaders to interact and explore new opportunities for economic cooperation.

She will also visit the Urban Redevelopment Authority City Gallery to learn about the development of Singapore’s urban landscape.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans called on his Singapore counterpart, K Shanmugam.

Both ministers exchanged views on global and regional developments, and reaffirmed the strong bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in terms of economics and environmental and water management.

Mr Shanmugam said: "Singapore and the Netherlands enjoy excellent bilateral relations, as we have many shared interests and common perspectives as small, pragmatic and outward looking states. I warmly welcome Her Majesty Queen Beatrix’s inaugural state visit to Singapore, and am confident that it will strengthen our bilateral ties and bring about new opportunities for collaboration."

— CNA/xq/al