SINGAPORE(Reuters)– Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday (November) on his first visit to the city state since taking office in 2010.
After an official welcoming ceremony, the two heads of state sat for a meeting reaffirming their good relations and the need to continue working together in the face of global challenges.
“At a time when many countries are turning inwards seeking to repudiate globalisation and shot off the world, we believe that staying open and ahead of changes is the right strategy,” said Lee Hsien Loong.
“We are keen to continue and deepen our partnership on a win win basis in order to come up with fresh solutions to the new global challenges facing us, this is not just a necessity with a good friend like Singapore it’s also a great pleasure,” added Rutte.
Local media say The Netherlands is Singapore’s largest investor from Europe with both countries investing in each other’s economy in areas such as environment, innovation and water management.