Collaborations from security to training among 13 agreements signed by Singapore and France
[SINGAPORE] Singapore and France exchanged 13 agreements on Friday (May 30) – spanning areas such as general security, artificial intelligence (AI), civil aviation and vocational training – in conjunction with their new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Defence is one key focus of the bilateral relationship. The France-Singapore General Security Agreement will facilitate the sharing and mutual protection of classified information, and deepen cooperation in areas including counterterrorism and cybersecurity.
An annual dialogue was established for national security matters of mutual interest. Singapore and France also declared intent to expand security cooperation to non-traditional domains such as digital defence, and explore new defence areas such as in critical and emerging technologies.
They will also enhance a joint lab to develop AI capabilities for defence applications.
Another key area in the bilateral relationship is energy, with Singapore hoping to build capacity in the field of civilian nuclear energy, and deploy it domestically.
Besides providing a framework for cooperation, which encompasses topics including safeguards and workforce development, the agreement affirms Singapore and France's commitments to international non-proliferation obligations.
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The countries' relevant agencies will also cooperate in training, personnel exchanges and attachments, information sharing and consultancy studies.
In the education space, Singapore and France will strengthen technical and vocational education and training, with more extensive institutional partnerships and exchanges.
A road map for deepening digital policy and domain innovation sets out collaboration in new areas, including AI, quantum technologies and cybersecurity. Similarly, a joint statement sets out how the countries' AI Safety Institutes will test, research and exchange knowledge to advance the responsible use of AI.
On the legal front, an extradition agreement inked on Friday provides a framework for Singapore to extradite fugitives to France, and in turn request the extradition of fugitives from France to Singapore, for certain offences.
Meanwhile, under a comprehensive civil aviation framework agreement, France and Singapore will hold annual dialogues and jointly deliver a training programme in air transport management.
Finally, a maritime partnership will support the industry's collaboration from knowledge exchange on decarbonisation to cybersecurity. To implement it, the countries' maritime authorities will conduct pilot projects in key focus areas and encourage participation in open innovation platforms.
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