Latest news with #ComprehensiveStrategicPartnership
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Australia's Defence Minister to embark on four-nation tour from June 2
Melbourne [Australia], June 1 (ANI): Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, will travel to Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia from June 2-5 for high-level meetings, as per Australian defence government release. The Deputy Prime Minister will meet leaders and counterparts in the South and Southeast Asia as part of the Government's commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. During his visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka, the Deputy Prime Minister will discuss ongoing Australian support for both nations' sovereign capability development, the release added. According to Australian defence government, the visit to India coincides with the fifth anniversary of Australia and India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which underpins our relationship and shared vision for the Indian Ocean. In Indonesia, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet his counterpart to reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Ahead of Marles visit he said, 'Australia values our relationships with neighbours in the Indo-Pacific. Our deepening cooperation is at the heart of Australia's approach to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains open, inclusive and resilient' 'I look forward to meeting leaders and welcome productive discussions on how we can work together to shape a peaceful, secure, and prosperous region that is respectful of sovereignty,' he added. On May 23,Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Richard Marles on his reappointment as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh stated that he looked forward to continuing India's close cooperation with Australia to strengthen bilateral defence ties further. 'Heartiest congratulations to my friend @RichardMarlesMP on his reappointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for Australia. Looking forward to continuing our close cooperation to further strengthen bilateral defence ties under India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,' Singh posted on X. Richard Marles' reappointment as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently secured victory in the elections. Senior ministers, including Defence Minister Richard Marles, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Education Minister Jason Clare, continue to hold their portfolios. (ANI)
The Star
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Japan's largest annual Vietnam festival kicks off
TOKYO: The Vietnam Festival 2025 opened on Saturday (May 31) at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, featuring a diverse programme designed to offer visitors a full experience of Vietnam's charm. As the largest annual Vietnamese festival in Japan, the event attracts a large community of Vietnamese residents, Japanese friends, and international visitors eager to explore Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that, since its inception in 2008, the Vietnam Festival has become a hallmark of cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan, warmly awaited by the Vietnamese community and Japanese admirers alike. The festival is also one of the few international events in Tokyo to have welcomed distinguished guests from both countries, including members of the Japanese Imperial Family, notably the current Emperor when he was Crown Prince in 2008. The Deputy PM expressed his belief that with over 100 booths and a rich array of activities, the Vietnam Festival 2025 will offer unique cultural experiences from both Vietnam and Japan, fostering greater connections and boosting economic, trade, investment, and cultural-tourism cooperation between the two nations. Opening the festival, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu stressed that the Vietnam Festival in Japan is not only a joyful occasion but also a meaningful bridge connecting the hearts of Vietnamese and Japanese people. He highlighted that Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru's official visit to Vietnam marked a new milestone in bilateral relations, deepening mutual trust and cooperation across many fields. The festival continues this momentum by celebrating cultural harmony and mutual respect through daily life expressions, including cuisine, music, art, and human connections. Yuko Obuchi, Chair of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, noted that the annual Vietnam Festival at Yoyogi Park is renowned for showcasing traditional Vietnamese arts and cuisine. As Chair of the association, she pledged to promote exchanges between parliamentarians and friendship associations to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi remarked that 2025 marks a historic milestone for Vietnam, commemorating 50 years since the end of the war. He expressed deep respect for the Vietnamese people's remarkable development since then and hoped that through the Vietnam Festival and the Vietnam Pavilion at EXPO 2025, the exchange between the two countries will deepen further. The festival aims to widely promote the unique and rich cultural heritage of Vietnam to Japanese friends. Highlights include traditional folk arts such as the unique water puppet shows, Ao Dai fashion presentations, authentic traditional cuisine, and the depiction of Vietnam's gentle, friendly, and creative people. A standout feature this year is the debut performance of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre from Hanoi, one of Vietnam's most prestigious and iconic art troupes. Their shows blend Vietnamese folklore, music, and storytelling in ways that captivate audiences of all ages. The festival also showcases young, talented, and creative contemporary artists, bridging vibrant musical performances that resonate strongly with youth, fostering lively connections between Vietnamese and Japanese communities. The Vietnam Festival 2025 promises two dynamic days linking Vietnam and Japan, with around 130 booths expected to attract approximately 180,000 visitors. - Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Laos President, Japan PM pledge stronger links as two nations mark 70-year ties
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) welcomes Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at a Japan-Laos summit held at the Prime Minister's Office of Japan in Tokyo on May 29. - Photo: Prime Minister's Office of Japan. TOKYO: Visiting President Thongloun Sisoulith and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have agreed to deepen ties as Laos and Japan this year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations and 60 years of Japanese volunteer missions to Laos. The two leaders pledged to deepen ties during a bilateral meeting held in Tokyo on Thursday (May 29) on the sidelines of the 30th International Conference on the Future of Asia, hosted by Nikkei Inc. The Lao President also delivered a speech at the conference. Welcoming President Thongloun to Japan, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed 'his intention to further develop the bilateral cooperation by realising the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', the Prime Minister's Office of Japan said on its website. PM Ishiba said Japan would continue to support Laos' efforts to strengthen its economic resilience and stabilise its public finances for autonomous and quality economic development. At the same time, President Thongloun announced that starting on June 1, 2025, Laos will extend the visa-free stay period for holders of ordinary Japanese passports from 15 days to 30 days to enhance people-to-people and cultural links. President Thongloun and PM Ishiba reflected on the elevation of Lao-Japanese relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's official visit to Japan in January. They pledged to intensify collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly by promoting Japanese investment in key sectors in Laos. The two leaders agreed to accelerate efforts towards the early conclusion of a tax convention, with a view to further enhancing investment and economic ties between the two countries. They also declared their intention to advance cooperation in the fields of energy and decarbonisation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative. President Thongloun said 'he was pleased with the development of bilateral relations in a wide range of areas,' the Prime Minister's Office of Japan said. It was also noted that Japanese volunteers have made a significant contribution to Laos' development. To date, more than 1,100 Japanese volunteers and 4,500 experts have served in Laos, assisting their Lao counterparts in areas such as legal reform, justice, and public service. The leaders also expressed their pleasure at the upcoming official visit to Laos by Her Imperial Highness, Princess Aiko, in November, calling it a significant milestone for future bilateral engagement. President Thongloun expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to himself and his delegation and thanked Japan for its continued support for Laos' socio-economic development. Japan's assistance extends to development of the East-West Economic Corridor, clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO), disaster preparedness, and humanitarian assistance. The two leaders also exchanged views on key regional and international advancements and underscored their shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region. - Vientiane Times/ANN
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Singapore and France upgrade ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Singapore and France have concluded 13 agreements across several areas, such as security, energy, transport and artificial intelligence. France is the third country to have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore, after Australia and Vietnam. It's also the first European country to have such ties with the island. The upgraded bilateral ties is seen as a sign of both nations' commitment to expand collaboration in an uncertain world. Jeraldine Yap reports.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman SINGAPORE – The past 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France have delivered tangible benefits to both peoples through economic cooperation, innovation and the 'cultural brew' they create together, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He was speaking at a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30, hours after the launch of a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries where they agreed to deepen collaboration in areas such as defence, security, artificial intelligence and nuclear power. Mr Tharman said: 'We are expanding our ties and making something substantive, something unique and certainly mutually beneficial, something to be treasured in an increasingly troubled world.' Speaking to a crowd that included members of both countries' Cabinets, Mr Tharman said: 'Your presence in Singapore and your upcoming address at the Shangri-La Dialogue underscores the growing engagement between our regions. 'We share the same fundamental belief in the importance of an open, stable and rules-based global system.' Mr Macron, in a speech following Mr Tharman, emphasised the long and beneficial relationship between the two countries. 'After 60 years, we can say that we understand each other... 60 years of discussions, visits, common events. 'In a few decades, your city-state has seen exceptional growth, and today it's a major hub of exchange and progress at the heart of South-east Asia, and I have to say that Singapore is clearly a source of inspiration and admiration.' A long and fruitful history Mr Macron's state visit to Singapore marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but the relationship goes back much further, Mr Tharman said. He raised the examples of French missionary and educator Father Jean-Marie Beurel who helped found several schools including St Joseph's Institution, and French naturalists Alfred Duvaucel and Pierre-Medard Diard who arrived in the 1800s and whose collection of specimens, notes, and drawings captured the evolution of Singapore's natural history. He said: 'Our more recent history has seen layer being added on layer of French-Singapore ties.' France was in 2012 the first European nation with whom Singapore established a strategic partnership, Mr Tharman noted. French firms now make up the largest number of European companies registered in Singapore, he added. There are more than 2,600 of these. He said: 'Companies like CMA-CGM, TotalEnergies, and Alstom are leveraging on Singapore's ecosystem to grow their footprint in the Asia-Pacific. 'Singapore's investment firms GIC and Temasek are significant investors in France, and leading enterprises such as CapitaLand and ComfortDelgro are stepping up their presence.' French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and his wife Ms Brigitte Macron (second from right) with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) and his spouse Ms Jane Ittogi on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG French expertise is also helping to shape Singapore's urban infrastructure, he said. RATP Dev is working together with Singapore operationalise the upcoming Jurong Region MRT Line – the first foreign operator to be involved in the Republic's rail industry, Mr Tharman noted. Mr Macron also emphasised the long relationship between the two countries. He said in response to Mr Tharman: 'You referred yourself to Pierre-Médard and Alfred Duvaucel, who drew up a list of the islands' fauna and flora at the end of the 19th century, but since this moment, even before your independence, our relationship is based on this exchange between our institutions.' Today, 200 French researchers live in Singapore, and its National Center for Scientific Research has four research labs here, he noted. Mr Macron said: 'In those 60 years (of diplomatic relations), France and Singapore have never stopped advancing together, in particular in the field of science, where we have worked on building a fruitful partnership for many years.' Referencing the role founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had in the genesis of this bilateral relationship, Mr Macron said: '10 years after his death, France has not forgotten what it owes to Lee Kuan Yew on many topics, the tireless instigator of our bilateral cooperation project, and today we acknowledge the fruit of his labor, as seen in the exchange of students, researchers and entrepreneurs between our two countries, nourishing our friendship.' More to come Looking forward, Mr Tharman said the new CSP reflects both countries' commitments to 'expand and deepen collaboration with a sharper focus on areas that matter for the future.' These include emerging and frontier technologies in sustainability, defence and security, he said. Mr Tharman said: 'President Macron and Prime Minister Wong also witnessed the conclusion of wide-ranging bilateral agreements, each opening new possibilities, and they witnessed the renewal of a roadmap for deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, online safety and quantum technology.' In response, Mr Macron said: 'We have such a range of cooperation which is totally unique. Our defence cooperation, shared support of multi-lateralism and joint investment in breakthrough technologies are all paving the way for future generations.' He added that the agreements are not just a statement of intentions but a tangible roadmap to 'invent together' in those fields. He said: 'It is a promise we are making to the generations that follow so that we can tackle together the next 60 years with the brave spirits of the pioneers and your founding fathers.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
