President Tony Tan to make first state visit to Hungary and Slovak Republic

SINGAPORE - President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan will make a State Visit to Hungary from Nov 12 to 14 and to the Slovak Republic from Nov 15 to 18, 2013.

This will be President Tan's first State Visit to Central and Eastern Europe.

President Tan's State Visit to the Slovak Republic will coincide with the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of Singapore's diplomatic relations with the Slovak Republic.

President Tan will meet leaders from these two countries to affirm our friendly bilateral ties and explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

President Tan and Mrs Tan will receive a ceremonial welcome in both countries, followed by meetings with the President of Hungary János Áder and President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič.

President Tan will also meet the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán and Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, as well as the Speaker of Parliament of Hungary László Kövér and Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council Jana Laššáková.

President Tan will be accompanied by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Mrs Balakrishnan; Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Sam Tan; and Members of Parliament Ms Penny Low and Mr David Ong. President Tan will also be accompanied by a business delegation from the Singapore Business Federation.

Mr J Y Pillay, Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, will exercise the functions of the Office of the President for the period from Nov 12 to 13, and on Nov 19, 2013.

Madam Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament, will exercise the functions of the Office of the President for the period from Nov 14 to 18, 2013.

spanaech@sph.com.sg