S'pore and France to expand defence ties, cooperate on nuclear energy in upgraded relationship
S'pore and France to expand defence ties, cooperate on nuclear energy in upgraded relationship
SINGAPORE – France and Singapore will expand cooperation in areas such as civilian nuclear energy, intelligence sharing and defence technology, upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP).
This is Singapore's first CSP with a European country – an upgrade to a strategic partnership signed in 2012 – and was announced by both countries at a joint press conference on May 30.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the exchange of 13 agreements at a ceremony in Parliament House on the second day of a state visit by Mr Macron.
At a joint press conference following the exchange, PM Wong said in an uncertain world, it is even more important for like-minded countries like France and Singapore to work together.
He said: 'That's why President Macron and I have agreed to upgrade our bilateral ties with a comprehensive strategic partnership. This will deepen our cooperation in existing sectors and expand our collaboration in new areas like decarbonisation and digitalisation.'
Speaking in French, Mr Macron said there is a 'community of views' between France and Singapore, raising the example of Singapore's stance on the Ukraine War, where Singapore sanctioned Russia following its invasion in 2022.
He said the comprehensive strategic partnership signifies the deep trust between the countries, and added his hopes for further cooperation in the business domain.
Nuclear power and defence
On nuclear energy, the countries signed agreements to facilitate cooperation on safety, workforce development, research, environmental protection, the protection of public health and emergency preparedness and response, amongst others.
PM Wong said the agreements will help Singapore tap French expertise in the field as it explores the possibility for civilian nuclear energy.
Turning to defence, PM Wong said the domain has always been a 'pillar' of the relationship between the two countries.
He said: 'Under the new partnership, we will enhance cooperation in other areas, including deployment defense technology and critical and emerging technologies. We will also reinforce the journey of cooperation, including by establishing a senior officials dialogue'.
The countries exchanged three agreements to deepen and expand their defence relationship across multiple domains of mutual interest and shared expertise, including non-traditional domains like digital defence.
They also provide for the enhancement of a joint research and development laboratory established in 2023 to develop artificial intelligence capabilities.
They also signed an agreement facilitating the sharing and mutual protection of classified information between France and Singapore.
Known as the France-Singapore General Security Agreement, it will support and deepen security cooperation in areas of mutual interest beyond defence, including counterterrorism and cybersecurity.
Both countries also agreed to work together on technical and vocational education, and unveiled a roadmap to deepen collaboration on digital policy and innovation.
This sets out new areas of collaboration such as technical exchanges on how artificial intelligence can enhance public service delivery.
The two countries also signed an agreement to provide for the extradition of fugitives between them, amongst others.
This is Singapore's third CSP. Similar agreements have been inked with Vietnam and Australia, with plans for another with India.
Mr Macron landed in Singapore on May 29 and will stay until May 30, delivering the keynote address of the Shangri-La Dialogue that evening.
This is the third leg of a South-east Asian tour by Mr Macron. He arrived from Indonesia, where he signed a preliminary defence pact that could lead to new orders of French military equipment. Before that, he was in Vietnam, where he inked a deal for Airbus planes.
The exchange happened after Mr Macron received a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House, where he also called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam ahead of a state banquet hosted by Mr Tharman in honour of him and his wife.
The state visit also commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France.
Mr Macron is accompanied by French leaders including Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard; Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu; Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot; Minister of Culture Rachida Dati; and Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz.
Ng Wei Kai is a journalist at The Straits Times, where he covers politics. He writes Unpacked, a weekly newsletter on Singapore politics and policy.
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