Singapore City, 23 July 2022 (TDI): The Prime Minister of Ireland, Taoiseach Micheal Martin held talks with Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong on Friday. The Irish Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Singapore.
According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, the two leaders reiterated good relations between the two countries.
In addition, they also agreed on further cooperation in trade and investment, green growth, food security, and climate change. Also, they discussed the Ukrainian war and its impact on the global market.
“Singapore and Ireland are harmonious on the importance of upholding a rules-based multilateral system. I look forward to working closely with my Irish counterparts to take bilateral ties to new heights” the Singaporean Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.
A good meeting with Irish Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD today. We talked about domestic & global developments, including the war in Ukraine & its impact on global energy markets, & addressed areas for further cooperation.🍀 – LHL https://t.co/MhRNRDoepP pic.twitter.com/xMUi8AGXAY
— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) July 22, 2022
Taoiseach Micheal Martin called it a positive meeting. Later, he visited the Changi Museum in Singapore. His uncle Philip Martin was a captive of war at Changi prison for more than three years during the Japanese occupation.
Changi Museum visit, Singapore pic.twitter.com/vtNtfqjwMh
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 22, 2022
Afterward, he held meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Lawrence Wong. They discussed the challenges being faced by the world like climate change and soaring food prices around the globe.
Furthermore, the two sides agreed on collaboration for Sustainable development as well as low carbon solution.
Had the honour to meet Irish Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD today. Singapore and Ireland are like-minded on the importance of upholding a rules-based multilateral system. I look forward to working closely with my Irish counterparts to take bilateral ties to new heights! pic.twitter.com/3WHxnoOu7T
— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) July 22, 2022
In a statement on Friday, the Irish Department of the Taoiseach said this was the first visit by a Taoiseach to Singapore since 2014.
Relations between Singapore and Ireland
Ireland and Singapore have had strong relations for many years. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1974. Ireland opened its Embassy in Singapore in 2000.
Singapore is home to about 2,050 to 3,000 Irish emigrants. Over 10,400 EU companies are operating on its territory.
Singaporeans have been coming to Ireland to study, especially medicine, for above seventy years. After that, some permanently reside in Ireland and contribute to the economy.
