Latest news with #France-SingaporeGeneralSecurityAgreement
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Upgrade in bilateral ties
Solid partnership: Macron (left) shaking hands with Wong after both countries signed multiple bilateral agreements. — AP 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 yesterday. 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 Macron. At a joint press conference following the exchange, 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, Macron said the comprehensive strategic partnership signifies the deep trust between the countries, and added his hopes for further cooperation in the business domain. 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. Solid partnership: Macron (left) shaking hands with Wong after both countries signed multiple bilateral agreements. — AP 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, 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 defence 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 counter-terrorism 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. The state visit also commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France. — The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Singapore and France to expand defence ties, cooperate on nuclear energy in upgraded relationship
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): 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 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. The orchid naming ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron (second from left), pictured with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and their wives, Brigitte Macron and Jane Ittogi, was held at Parliament House on May 30. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 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. 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 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. 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. -- The Straits Times/ANN
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
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. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 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.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
French President Macron and PM Wong sample local fare at Lau Pa Sat; sign deals on defence, AI at summit, Singapore News
Following a casual visit to Lau Pa Sat for local delicacies on Thursday (May 29) night, Singapore and France commemorated 60 years of diplomatic relations with multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to deepen cooperation in areas such as defence and artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged MoUs at a joint press conference on Friday (May 30), ahead of Macron's keynote address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's largest forum on security and defence. Forty-seven countries, including 40 minister-level delegates, are attending the 22nd edition of the Dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel from May 30 to June 1. Speaking about a shifting global order and heightened uncertainty on Friday, PM Wong emphasised the need for "like-minded countries to work together to put in place the outlines and the pillars of a new order that will ensure stability and continue shared prosperity for countries around the world". The MoUs mark Singapore's first comprehensive strategic partnership with a European country, and Singapore will be a constructive partner that will "always be a steadfast supporter to advance these areas of shared interest together in order to achieve win-win outcomes for both sides". Defence According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Singapore and France signed the France-Singapore General Security Agreement, which will facilitate the sharing and mutual protection of classified information between the two countries. They also agreed to support and deepen security cooperation in areas of mutual interest beyond defence, including counterterrorism and cybersecurity. Singapore and France's respective civil aviation authorities have also signed a new agreement to "collaborate comprehensively" on aviation across key major areas, including safety and security, air traffic management, environment, training & education and aviation innovation. Partnership within the maritime sector will also be enhanced as both countries plan to conduct various pilot projects in key focus areas, including the safe bunkering of alternative marine fuels, as well as data exchange to enhance port efficiency. Digital technologies & AI At a separate bilateral meeting on Wednesday, Singapore and France reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration in key areas of digital policy and innovation. Signed by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and France's Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Clara Chappaz, the roadmap sets out new areas for collaboration, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and quantum technologies. Singapore's and France's AI Safety Institutes will also ramp up knowledge exchange on AI safety and collaborative research to advance responsible use of safe and trustworthy AI. Civilian nuclear energy The two nations also signed a cooperation agreement to establish bilateral civil nuclear cooperation as Singapore explores the potential deployment of nuclear energy domestically. With France being one of the largest users of nuclear energy, the agreement will facilitate information sharing on various technologies of interest to Singapore, such as the "exchange and training of personnel, exchange of scientific and technical data and participation of personnel in research and development activities related to nuclear energy". The National Environment Agency and the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection also signed an MoU regarding radiation and nuclear safety, regulatory matters, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Dinner at Lau Pa Sat Macron landed in Singapore on Thursday, for the third and final stop of his Southeast Asian tour following visits to Indonesia and Vietnam. Macron and PM Wong, together with their spouses, visited Lau Pa Sat last night and were greeted by a throng of people hoping to get a glimpse of the world leaders. Stopping for pictures with eager onlookers, the two leaders also had a taste of some local dishes — chee cheong fun and char kway teow. [[nid:718429]]
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
