WRITING HISTORY: DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S OFFICIAL VISIT TO SINGAPORE

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Singapore on 14 November 2009 to attend the 17th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, which pledged to curb protectionism and ensure economic recovery and sustainable growth.

Medvedev's participation in the APEC Summit began with an address to the APEC Business Summit, where he focused on the global economic agenda: priorities and steps to be taken.

The last event in the APEC schedule was a collective photo session. According to the APEC tradition, the leaders wore ethnic costumes. Created by Singaporean designer, Wykidd Song, these long flax shirts with mandarin collars pay homage to Peranakan culture, which is a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian elements. These garments are representative of Singapore's multiculturalism. The embroidered flower on each shirt has 21 petals, which stand for the 21 APEC economies, and was painstakingly hand-embroidered over a two-month period.

The APEC forum was followed by Dmitry Medvedev's official visit to Singapore, the first ever by a Russian head of state in the history of bilateral relations established since 1968. The purpose of his visit was to promote stronger ties with the high-tech island nation as he seeks to diversify Russia's economy and limit its high dependence on natural resources.

During his visit, Medvedev held talks with Singapore's President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He also met with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who is credited with transforming a relatively underdeveloped colonial outpost into a rapidly growing "Asian tiger".  Medvedev conferred the Order of Friendship, Russia's highest civilian award, on MM Lee. The Order recognises those who have made a significant contribution toward strengthening relations between nations. 

On the last day of his visit, Dmitry Medvedev met with Singapore's business elite. Among the 20 participants were representatives of prominent companies such as Singapore Airlines, Keppel Offshore and Marine and Temasek Holdings, which have made their presence felt on the Russian market as investors and partners. The Russian side was represented by such key players as FESCO Transportation Group, Gazprom, Rostekhnologii, Vneshekonombank and VTB Capital. It was VTB Capital that enabled participation of leading Singapore businesses in the meeting with the President of Russia. Ho Ching, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Holdings, was leading the discussion on the Singapore side.

As a result of Mr Medvedev's two-day visit, both sides agreed to set up the Inter-Governmental Commission as a platform to take the relationship forward. The commission will promote broad-based cooperation in various fields comprising economics, science and technology, as well as political, cultural, educational and other areas.  Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will be Singapore's representative, while Russia has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Sobyanin.

Before leaving Singapore, Medvedev visited the flagship of Russia's Pacific Fleet, the missile cruiser Varyag, anchored in the Southeast Asian nation. The Varyag's crew lined up to meet the President. He was also welcomed by the commander of a Russian Pacific flotilla and the cruiser's captain. A military band played the Russian anthem. Also, the cruiser's crew included representatives of the Vladivostok eparchy.