Swiss Defence Minister Makes Working Visit to Singapore

Swiss Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, was hosted by Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung to lunch earlier this afternoon. As part of his programme, Mr Parmelin and his delegation were briefed on Singapore's National Service (NS) policies at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this morning. The Swiss delegation also visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s Basic Military Training Centre and the NS Gallery at Pulau Tekong this afternoon, where they learnt more about Singapore's conscription system and interacted with Full-time National Servicemen.
 
Mr Parmelin, who is in Singapore for a working visit from 3 to 5 June 2017, also attended the Shangri-la Dialogue 2017.
 
Mr Parmelin's visit, along with other high-level interactions between both countries in recent years, underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Switzerland.