| Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written a condolence letter to Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Angela Merkel on the passing of former Chancellor of West Germany Helmut Schmidt on 10 November 2015. Prime Minister has also conveyed a private message to the family of Mr Schmidt. The text of Prime Minister’s letter to Chancellor Merkel is appended. |
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 NOVEMBER 2015
Condolence Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Angela Merkel
11 November 2015
Dear Chancellor Merkel,
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
Mr Schmidt was a visionary leader and a close friend of Singapore. He had a strategic view of the world, and was a strong supporter of closer relations between our two countries. Mr Schmidt was also for many years a close personal friend of our former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. In May 2012, in extreme old age, Mr Schmidt travelled to Singapore to visit Mr Lee for a final time. They spent three days discussing world politics. It was, as always, a meeting of minds. Clear-headed and tough-minded, Mr Schmidt found common ground with Mr Lee on many key issues. We were privileged to have that last conversation published in a book by Mr Lee a year later.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany as you mourn the loss of one of Germany’s great leaders.
Yours sincerely
LEE HSIEN LOONG
Her Excellency Dr Angela Merkel
Chancellor
Federal Republic of Germany