Tweet
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MARKS A FIRST WITH S'PORE VISIT
BY: Phua Mei Pin
The Straits Times
March 29, 2012 Thursday
Singapore
ARMENIANS were behind a number of 'mosts' in Singapore: the most-read
newspaper, The Straits Times; the most renowned hotel, the Raffles;
and the most historic church, the Armenian Apostolic Church of St
Gregory the Illuminator.
Both President Tony Tan Keng Yam and visiting Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan cited these examples of ties between the two countries last
night during a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.
Mr Sargsyan is the first Armenian president to visit Singapore since
the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago.
His is the latest in a series of high-level bilateral visits since
then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's trip to Armenia in 2009.
Recalling the advice that Mr Lee had given him to educate Armenians to
'live and think like first-rate citizens of the world', Mr Sargsyan
said: 'Armenia has many lessons to learn from Singapore's experience
in developing a national model that ensures economic prosperity and
social justice.'
Dr Tan returned the sentiment that, as small countries, Singapore and
Armenia shared challenges and interests and stood to learn much from
each other.
In meetings with Dr Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday,
Mr Sargsyan reaffirmed the friendly bilateral relations and discussed
ways to strengthen cooperation going forward.
In this context, two agreements were signed yesterday by Transport
Minister and Acting Foreign Minister Lui Tuck Yew and Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian.
One agreement will foster greater cultural cooperation, while the other
waives visa requirements for Singaporean and Armenian diplomatic and
official passport holders.
Yesterday, Mr Sargsyan also became the latest Armenian to lend his name
to an orchid. At an official ceremony at the National Orchid Garden,
a dark pink orchid hybrid was named the Kiattanara Serzh Sargsyan in
his honour. In 1893, almost 120 years ago, Armenian horticulturist
Agnes Joaquim gave her name to the Vanda Miss Joaquim, which went on
to become Singapore's national flower.
Today, Mr Sargsyan wraps up his three-day trip with a visit to the
iconic Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator in Armenian
Street, the first Christian church to be built in Singapore, where
he will meet members of the Armenian community in Singapore.
BY: Phua Mei Pin
The Straits Times
March 29, 2012 Thursday
Singapore
ARMENIANS were behind a number of 'mosts' in Singapore: the most-read
newspaper, The Straits Times; the most renowned hotel, the Raffles;
and the most historic church, the Armenian Apostolic Church of St
Gregory the Illuminator.
Both President Tony Tan Keng Yam and visiting Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan cited these examples of ties between the two countries last
night during a state banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.
Mr Sargsyan is the first Armenian president to visit Singapore since
the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago.
His is the latest in a series of high-level bilateral visits since
then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's trip to Armenia in 2009.
Recalling the advice that Mr Lee had given him to educate Armenians to
'live and think like first-rate citizens of the world', Mr Sargsyan
said: 'Armenia has many lessons to learn from Singapore's experience
in developing a national model that ensures economic prosperity and
social justice.'
Dr Tan returned the sentiment that, as small countries, Singapore and
Armenia shared challenges and interests and stood to learn much from
each other.
In meetings with Dr Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday,
Mr Sargsyan reaffirmed the friendly bilateral relations and discussed
ways to strengthen cooperation going forward.
In this context, two agreements were signed yesterday by Transport
Minister and Acting Foreign Minister Lui Tuck Yew and Armenian Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian.
One agreement will foster greater cultural cooperation, while the other
waives visa requirements for Singaporean and Armenian diplomatic and
official passport holders.
Yesterday, Mr Sargsyan also became the latest Armenian to lend his name
to an orchid. At an official ceremony at the National Orchid Garden,
a dark pink orchid hybrid was named the Kiattanara Serzh Sargsyan in
his honour. In 1893, almost 120 years ago, Armenian horticulturist
Agnes Joaquim gave her name to the Vanda Miss Joaquim, which went on
to become Singapore's national flower.
Today, Mr Sargsyan wraps up his three-day trip with a visit to the
iconic Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator in Armenian
Street, the first Christian church to be built in Singapore, where
he will meet members of the Armenian community in Singapore.