Singapore and Estonia think alike: President Tharman

Both passionate about working with other countries, strengthening global public good

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Singapore and Estonia are geographically far apart but share many similarities, said President Tharman Shanmu­garatnam on June 25.

“We think alike. We are both small and open nations, who embrace education and innovation as the ways to give our citizens the best opportunities in life,” said Mr Tharman at a banquet hosted in his honour by his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis.

Both nations are passionate about working with other countries and making cooperative efforts to strengthen the global public good, rather than being driven by immediate national interests, he added.

“We are both uncompromising in our advocacy for a rules-based international order that governs trade and investment and the political independence and territorial integrity of all countries, big and small.”

Mr Tharman is in Estonia for a two-day official visit. This is the first such visit to Estonia by a Singapore president.

Before travelling to Estonia, Mr Tharman met his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, on June 24. He was also hosted to breakfast by Finnish President Alexander Stubb while in transit between Italy and Estonia.