Putin Starts Singapore Trip With Visit To Presidential Residence

Russian President Vladimir Putin began his trip to Singapore on Tuesday with a visit to the country's presidential residence, the Istana

SINGAPORE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th November, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin began his trip to Singapore on Tuesday with a visit to the country's presidential residence, the Istana.

The official ceremony to welcome the Russian president was led by his Singaporean counterpart, Halimah Yacob. The anthems of both countries were performed in the presence of the guard of honor, after which the presidents went to the residence to begin talks. Putin also left a message in the guest book.

The Istana ("palace" in Malay) was built in 1869 and was used as the residence of the UK colonial administration. Since 1965, when the island nation declared its independence, the palace has been the residence of the President of Singapore.

Putin then took part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Russian cultural center.

Putin arrived at the tent on Rangoon Road, where the ceremony was taking place, followed by Yacob. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Singaporean Senior State Minister at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Ann Sim spoke at the event. After their speeches, Putin and Yacob went to the podium and removed the fabric covering the embedded stone.

During the ceremony, Lavrov said that the Russian cultural center would give impetus to the expansion of bilateral humanitarian ties.

"Building a Russian cultural center and temple on Singapore's land will give impetus to the expansion of humanitarian ties between our peoples .

.. We appreciate the constructive role of Singapore in the development of relations between Russia and the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]. It is symbolic that the declaration that proclaims strategic partnership between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be approved tomorrow under the chairmanship of Singapore," Lavrov said.

Before the ceremony, the deputy head of Russian foreign cooperation agency Rossotrudnichestvo, Mikhail Bryukhanov, told reporters that 33,000 square meters (8.15 acres) of land had been leased to the cultural center, and the will have an area of 4,600 square meters (49,514 square feet). He added that there was no blueprint for the building yet, adding that a tender might be announced for it.

A dinner on behalf of the Singaporean president in honor of the Russian president is scheduled for later in the day at the Istana.

Singapore is hosting a meeting between Russia and the ASEAN, as well as the 13th East Asia Summit this week. The leaders will discuss ways of promoting trade and deepening ASEAN ties with the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Bilateral talks between the Russian leader, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also planned for Wednesday.