President Tony Tan Keng Yam will make State Visits to Italy and the Holy See from 22 to 29 May 2016. These will be the first State Visits from Singapore to Italy and the Holy See. The visit to Italy will showcase growing ties between Singapore and Italy in a range of sectors including trade, education, culture, design and research. The visit to the Holy See will showcase the longstanding ties between Singapore and the Holy See.
The visit to Italy will comprise visits to Rome and Venice. President Tan will receive a ceremonial welcome in Rome and meet President Sergio Mattarella who will host a State Banquet in President Tan’s honour. President Tan will also meet with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi; President of the Senate Pietro Grasso; and the Commissioner of Rome Francesco Tronca. In addition, President Tan will place a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier and visit Sapienza University. In Venice, President Tan will officiate the opening of the Singapore Pavilion at the 15th Architecture Biennale.
The visit to Vatican City will take place on 28 May 2016. President Tan will receive a ceremonial welcome, have a Pontifical Audience with His Holiness Pope Francis, and meet with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
President Tan will be accompanied by Mrs Mary Tan; Minister for Trade & Industry (Industry) S Iswaran; Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Transport Mrs Josephine Teo; and Members of Parliament Mr Saktiandi Bin Supaat and Ms Cheng Li Hui. A business delegation led by International Enterprise Singapore will also visit Italy in conjunction with President’s State Visit.
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 from 21 to 30 May 2016.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 MAY 2016