Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Singapore Halimah Yacob at the Istana Government Residence in Singapore.

Welcoming the Armenian Prime Minister’s official visit to Singapore, President Yacob noted that the small Armenian community of Singapore enjoys a good reputation and is fully integrated into the local society. The President of Singapore stressed that as a result, they have the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church and Armenia Street in the center of Singapore.

“Your visit is very important in the context of strengthening friendly relations between our countries, as well as the development of economic ties,” Halimah Yakob said, noting that Singapore is prepared to closely work and exchange experiences with Armenian partners.

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the Armenian government is keen to deepen the ongoing cooperation with Singapore, and went on to note that the two peoples are bound by strong ties of friendship. As an example, the Prime Minister cited Ashkhen Hovakimyan, who created the Wanda Miss Joachim orchid variety, which became the national flower and a state symbol of Singapore.

“Yesterday, in the courtyard of the Armenian church, a sculpture of an orchid was unveiled, referred to as Wanda Miss Joachim, which is another evidence of the affinities between our two nations. We have kept warm recollections of the visit paid to Armenia by First Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew a few years ago,” the Premier said. Nikol Pashinyan advised that the purpose of his visit is to give fresh impetus to bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Singapore discussed possibilities for implementing investment programs, developing trade and economic ties, and expanding cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

With reference to the changes taking place in our country, Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the Armenian government seeks to turn the political revolution into an economic breakthrough, and convert the economy into a technological one. In terms of ensuring further progress, the Premier considered that Singapore’s experience is encouraging and stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation.

“We boast great cooperation potential, which needs to be tapped in full through joint efforts,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the Government’s reforms have resulted in a free and transparent business environment and a stable financial and banking system in our country.

The President of Singapore expressed support for the two governments’ efforts, aimed at the furtherance of bilateral relations.

The parties noted the importance of cooperation in the frame of international organizations and touched upon problems of regional significance.