Belgian King lauds S’pore’s resilience, says both nations can work together for better world
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President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, and Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcoming guests at a banquet at Laeken Castle in Brussels on March 24.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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BRUSSELS – Belgium’s King Philippe has praised Singapore’s can-do spirit and commitment to building bridges and consensus, and pledged to deepen both countries’ partnership for greater common and shared prosperity.
Speaking at a state banquet in honour of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on March 24, the King cited the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, along with rising tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Describing these as “severe threats to global peace and multilateralism, which have surged recently”, King Philippe said his country highly valued Singapore’s foreign policy, which is “driven by the need for peace, stability and respect for international law”.
“Singapore’s resilience, in a region confronted with challenges, stands out,” he said.
“Singapore’s and Belgium’s plea for peaceful cooperation contrasts with the hard power games we are witnessing,” he added, expressing the hope that their partnership will reach new heights. “As is often said in Singapore, ‘Can can!’ Together, we can make the world a better, and a more peaceful, place.”
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted the traditional banquet at Laeken Castle in honour of President Tharman, who is in Belgium on the first state visit by a Singapore leader
The King’s comments come as the Trump administration continues to reshape the world order, from upending a longstanding US commitment
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Laeken Castle on March 24.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
President Tharman also touched on the changing global landscape in his speech at the white-tie dinner.
“In today’s increasingly uncertain and troubled world, as King Philippe has just highlighted, Belgium and Singapore’s mutual trust and shared commitment to bridge-building and dialogue takes on greater significance,” he said.
“It’s been almost 60 years since we had formal diplomatic relations, and it’s allowed us to build a strong and enduring bond built on a shared commitment to open economies, multilateralism and a rules-based international order,” he added.
“We are both at the heart of our respective regions, with larger neighbours, but deeply integrated into both regional and global networks, and our two countries have thrived by thinking and acting internationally.”
Brussels is widely regarded as the de facto capital of the European Union, as the Belgian capital hosts a number of key EU institutions.
From social and cultural exchanges to scientific and technological advancements, President Tharman pointed to the depth and breadth of the links between Belgium and Singapore.
This shared history, he noted, dates back over 400 years to when the Flemish merchant from Bruges, Jacques de Coutre, recognised the strategic significance of Singapore’s port. Though his plan to develop the island as a maritime hub did not materialise in the early 1600s, “his foresight speaks to our enduring ties and shared spirit of enterprise”, said Mr Tharman.
“Today, Belgium is a strategic gateway to Europe, as Singapore is to South-east Asia. As leading ports of call, we are also natural partners in the maritime world,” he added.
President Tharman also paid homage to the comic series Tintin that was an indelible part of the childhood of many Singaporeans who grew up in the 20th century. The comic, which has since been adapted for radio, television and film, was authored by Belgian cartoonist Herge, whose real name is Georges Remi. Its protagonist Tintin is a young reporter and adventurer who travels around the world, aided by his faithful dog Snowy.
“It provided a fascinating window to the wider world at a time when there was little opportunity to travel,” said Mr Tharman.
The President also cited Belgium’s world-leading marine engineering firm Deme, which has worked on land reclamation and the construction of deep-water berths in Singapore. This expertise helped lay the foundations for the new automated port in Tuas.
And Singapore-based port operator PSA counts its investment in Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges as its largest outside of the Republic.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visiting Port House Antwerp in Belgium on March 25.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
On the morning of March 25, President Tharman visited the Antwerp headquarters of the port manager and was accompanied by the governor of Antwerp province, Ms Cathy Berx, and the mayor of Antwerp city, Ms Els van Doesburg.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the port authority that was born out of a 2022 merger between both port companies. The new entity now manages the ports in Antwerp and Bruges. Its Antwerp headquarters is housed in a refurbished fire station that is topped by a futuristic super-structure designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
Mr Lim Hong Huai, Singapore’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and Mr Johan Klaps, vice-mayor (for the port and economy) of the city of Antwerp and president of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ board of directors, also exchanged the memorandum of understanding the port signed with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) ahead of the visit. The agreement provides a framework for MPA and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to foster collaboration in maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, MPA said in a statement.
In the afternoon, President Tharman engaged in a round-table discussion on inclusion and youth empowerment hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the royal palace.
Several non-profit organisations were present at the meeting, including one that fosters reintegration and reduces recidivism among young people with criminal convictions, and another that is focused on the workplace integration of immigrants.
On March 26, President Tharman will visit the Universite Catholique De Louvain and the headquarters of medical technology company IBA International, which is developing proton therapy for cancer treatment and has a presence in Singapore.
He will then travel to Luxembourg for his state visit to the country from March 27 to 28.
Clement Tan is an assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. He helps to oversee coverage of South Asia, the US, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.
