On Thursday, May 8, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter received the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam, on an official visit. The two presidents affirmed their desire to strengthen and enhance relations between Switzerland and Singapore.                                                        

The President of the Swiss Confederation welcomed his Singaporean counterpart at the Lohn country residence in Kehrsatz with military honors. The following official meetings were also attended by Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, head of the Federal Department of Finances, and Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. The talks were an opportunity to emphasize the excellent relations between Switzerland and Singapore, who have maintained diplomatic relations since 1967.

In order to reinforce these ties, the Swiss and Singaporean delegations signed a Declaration of Enhanced Partnership. The document establishes a regular political dialogue and paves the way for the strengthening of cooperation between Switzerland and Singapore, primarily in terms of business and finance, as well as in the fields of research and innovation.