President Tony Tan to make state visit to France

SINGAPORE - President Tony Tan Keng Yam will make a state visit to the French Republic from May 17 to 23.

President Tony Tan will visit cities including Paris, Bordeaux and Cazaux.

In Paris, President Tan will call on President François Hollande. President Hollande will also host a state dinner in President Tan's honour, while Prime Minister Manuel Valls will host President Tan to a working lunch.

President Tan will also meet Senate President Gerard Larcher and Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo. Mayor Hidalgo will host a reception at the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) of Paris. In addition, President Tan will lay a ceremonial wreath at the Arc de Triomphe, visit the Singapour en France - le Festival "Secret Archipelago" art exhibition as well as the Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, a scientific research facility with links to NUS and NTU.

In Bordeaux, President Tan will meet Mayor of Bordeaux Alain Juppe and be hosted to dinner by Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Tourism Promotion and French citizens abroad Matthias Fekl at the residence of the Prefect of Gironde Pierre Dartout. President Tan will then meet Singaporean personnel and their families based at the Cazaux Air Base, which lies just outside of Bordeaux.

The President will be accompanied by Mrs Mary Tan; Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim; Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Defence Mr Lui Tuck Yew; and Members of Parliament Ms Ellen Lee and Mr Baey Yam Keng.

During President Tan's absence, Mr J Y Pillay, Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, will exercise the functions of the office of the President.

ljessica@sph.com.sg