This is an important time to be in Italy.

Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's visit to Italy on June 24 is the first visit by a Singaporean head of state to the boot-shaped country in nearly a decade.

Italy was one of 13 countries that established diplomatic relations with Singapore in 1965, when it separated from Malaysia and became an independent nation. President Tony Tan's visit to Italy in 2016 was Singapore's first head of state visit to the country known as the cradle of European civilization.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (right) welcomes Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on June 24. (Source: Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information)

Speaking in Rome, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the Singapore-Italy relationship “has been around for a long time but is being renewed” and “we are deepening this relationship”.

Sharing about the visit, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam affirmed, “this is an important time to be in Italy”, in the context of “major conflicts continuing unabated, causing huge human losses”.

According to him, the political climate in Europe has changed and Italy - which currently holds the presidency of the G7 - plays an important role.

During the talks, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his host counterpart Sergio Mattarella reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between Singapore and Italy, and discussed ways to further enhance people-to-people ties through exchanges in arts and culture.

The two leaders also discussed geopolitical developments and opportunities to enhance multilateral and regional cooperation.

During the visit, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also held talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and met with the Singaporean community here.

After concluding his activities in Rome, President Tharman will pay an official visit to Estonia from June 25-26.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-singapore-day-la-thoi-diem-quan-trong-de-co-mat-o-italy-276334.html