The President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez, who is in Singapore on a State Visit, and First Lady Mdm Lorena Castillo de Varela, were welcomed by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan at an official ceremony held at the Istana this morning. Following the ceremony, President Varela called on President Tan, and met Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. The leaders reaffirmed the warm and friendly ties between Singapore and Panama, and discussed ways to strengthen and broaden bilateral cooperation. Acting Prime Minister Teo and President Varela exchanged views on regional and international developments, and agreed to explore further opportunities for economic collaboration, as well as to expand bilateral cooperation in training and education.
Earlier today, President Varela and Mdm Castillo de Varela visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where an orchid, Dendrobium Juan Carlos and Lorena Varela, was named in their honour. President Varela also visited and held discussions with PSA, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio.
This evening, President Tan and Mrs Mary Tan hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Varela, Mdm Castillo de Varela and the Panamanian delegation.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
22 APRIL 2016