His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, received an Official Welcome Ceremony at the Istana this morning and called on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee also hosted lunch for Chancellor Kurz and key members of the Austrian delegation.
President Halimah and Chancellor Kurz reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and Austria, which have shared interests as small states. They welcomed strengthening ties in all areas, and exchanged views on education, social integration policies, and global and regional developments.
Prime Minister Lee and Chancellor Kurz had a good discussion on how to expand the bilateral relationship. They exchanged views on smart cities and the challenges of digitalisation. Given our common interest in digitalisation, they agreed to work towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand bilateral collaborations in this area. Prime Minister Lee and Chancellor Kurz also expressed their commitment towards free trade and a rules-based multilateral system. In this connection, Prime Minister Lee thanked Chancellor Kurz for Austria’s strong support for the ratification of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA). The EUSFTA will be signed during Austria’s ongoing Presidency of the EU Council.
Chancellor Kurz will visit Singapore Polytechnic and Gardens by the Bay later today. He will depart Singapore tomorrow.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 AUGUST 2018
Call on President Halimah Yacob by Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, 30 August 2018.
[Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]
Call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong by Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, 30 August 2018.
[Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information]
