Belgian Royals Roll Out the Red Carpet for President Tharman

Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, at the Royal Palace on March 24, marking the start of the first state visit by a Singaporean leader since bilateral relations were established nearly 59 years ago.

- Clement Tan

BRUSSELS - Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, at the Royal Palace on March 24, marking the start of the first state visit by a Singaporean leader since bilateral relations were established nearly 59 years ago.

Arriving in a Mercedes-Benz car at the front plaza of the palace, flanked by members of the Belgian Royal Escort on horses and motorcycles, Mr Tharman inspected the military guard of honour before being ushered into the palace.

He also took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, built in memory of Belgian soldiers who died during World War I, and met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

President Tharman and Mr De Wever reaffirmed the longstanding ties between Singapore and Belgium, and discussed the strengthening of collaboration in areas such as maritime, innovation and sustainability.

They also had good discussions on regional and global developments, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.

Both leaders also welcomed the growing cooperation between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, including the signing of an agreement to advance maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation.

Mr Tharman also visited the Federal Parliament and met Speaker of the House of Representatives Peter De Roover and Senate President Vincent Blondel.

They discussed the importance of countries, including Singapore and Belgium, upholding multilateralism to respond more effectively to global challenges such as climate change, MFA added.

The Belgian royal couple rounded out the first day of the state visit by hosting the President and his entourage to a state banquet at Laeken Castle.