Hungarian President Janos Ader received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana yesterday morning when he arrived for a four-day state visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

President Ader then had separate meetings with Dr Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The two presidents, affirming excellent bilateral ties between Singapore and Hungary, welcomed opportunities to strengthen trade and investment links as well as cooperation in education, science and research, including water resources technology.

At the meeting with PM Lee, they discussed developments in Europe and Hungary, as well as challenges in climate change and sustainable development.

Dr Ader also visited the Marina Barrage, where he was briefed on Singapore's water and sustainability efforts. He was met by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan.

At a lunch hosted by Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, Dr Ader, who is in Singapore with his wife Anita Herczegh, welcomed the growing parliamentary ties between the two countries.

Last night, he and his wife were hosted to a state banquet by Dr Tan and his wife Mary.

WALTER SIM