SINGAPORE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Singaporean president congratulated Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was elected as the German president on Sunday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Tuesday.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam has written a congratulatory letter to President-elect of Germany Steinmeier, according to the MFA's statement.
President Tan noted that Singapore and Germany are close friends and described the two countries as "like-minded partners with common strategic interests."
He acknowledged Steinmeier's integral role in strengthening bilateral ties when he was the German foreign minister.
"I am confident that cooperation between Singapore and Germany will continue to strengthen under your leadership as president," Tan added.
In his letter, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan extended his warmest congratulations to the president-elect of Germany.
Steinmeier, a veteran Social Democrat and former foreign minister of Germany, was elected as the country's president on Sunday. He will assume office on March 18.
