Singapore appoints first resident Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey

SINGAPORE - The Government has appointed Mr A Selverajah as Singapore's first resident Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, starting July 27.

Mr A Selverajah is currently Dean of the MFA Diplomatic Academy, Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark and Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs.

He previously served as Singapore's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium (with concurrent accreditation to the European Union, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Holy See) from September 1999 to July 2003.

He also served as Singapore's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany (with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Greece) from August 2003 to July 2008, and as Singapore's Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines from August 2008 to March 2012.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979.

Mr Bernard William Baker has also been appointed as Singapore's High Commissioner to New Zealand, while Mr Zainal Arif Mantaha has been chosen as Singapore's Ambassador to France from July 13.

Mr Baker previously served as Singapore's High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa (with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Republic of Botswana, Kingdom of Lesotho, Namibia and the Kingdom of Swaziland) from March 2009 to April 2015.

Mr Zainal Arif Mantaha served as Director-General (Europe) from January 2011 to July 2012 and from November 2014 to June 2015. He was also Deputy High Commissioner in London from June 2006 to September 2010.

ljessica@sph.com.sg