SINGAPORE — French President François Hollande will make a two-day state visit to Singapore starting Sunday (March 26), the first state visit by a sitting president of the European country.

Mr Hollande’s visit reciprocates President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s state visit to France in May 2015, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The visit by the French leader “will reaffirm the excellent and multifaceted bilateral relations between Singapore and France, as reflected in the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership issued in October 2012,” said a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Saturday.

“The visit will also strengthen cooperation in innovation, a priority area in the growth strategies of both countries,” said the MFA. While in Singapore, Mr Hollande will deliver the opening address at the Singapore-France Innovation Forum, which is jointly organised by the Agency of Science, Technology and Research and the French Embassy in Singapore. 

On Sunday, an official welcome ceremony will be held for Mr Hollande at the Istana, followed by a courtesy call on Dr Tan, who will host a State Banquet in the evening.  

On the following day, the visiting leader will meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Lee will then host lunch for Mr Hollande. The French President will also deliver the 40th Singapore Lecture, titled “France and Singapore, Strategic Partners in a Fast-Changing World”, which will be moderated by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam. 

Mr Hollande will also launch a joint venture between CMA CGM and PSA to operate four mega container berths at the new Pasir Panjang Terminal, together with Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan.

Mr Hollande will be accompanied by Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of State for Development and Francophonie Jean-Marie Le Guen, Minister of State for the Industry, Digital Sector and Innovation Christophe Sirugue, senior officials and a business delegation, said the MFA’s press statement.

Bilateral ties are multifaceted, with cooperation in trade, defence, innovation and culture among other areas.

France was Singapore’s second largest trading partner in the European Union (EU) in 2016, with bilateral trade valued at S$16 billion. France is also the sixth largest investor from the EU, with total foreign direct investment stock to Singapore at about S$14.8 billion as of end-2015.

As part of his tour of the region, Mr Hollande will also reportedly visit Malaysia and Indonesia after Singapore.