Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was on Monday presented Russia's Order of Honour for his contributions in strengthening ties between Russia and Singapore.

The award was presented to him by Mr Leonid Moiseev, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Singapore, at the Istana.

The Order of Honour is "for his substantial contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation and development of scientific and cultural relations", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

It was first conferred on Mr Lee by Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 10 last year in conjunction with Mr Lee's 90th birthday.

Singapore and Russia enjoy "excellent relations" the MFA said, with regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and institutional links such as the Russia-Singapore Inter-Governmental Commission and the Russia-Singapore Business Forum.

"Singapore will continue to forge closer cooperation with Russia for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples", it added.