Singapore and France have been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both countries set to deepen cooperation in emerging fields such as decarbonization, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
According to the report by Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to Singapore, announced this news at a joint press conference on the 30th.
In his opening remarks, Wong stated that France is the first European country to establish a strategic partnership with Singapore, laying the foundation for close collaboration in multiple areas such as defense, trade, cybersecurity, and education.
He noted that in today's uncertain world, it is more important for like-minded countries such as France and Singapore to work together, which is why the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations and deepen cooperation in existing and emerging fields.
“This is the first Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Singapore has established with a European country, reflecting the high level of mutual trust between the two nations and the potential for achieving greater accomplishments together.”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France. In his remarks, Macron said that France is not only a partner to Singapore but also a trusted ally for 60 years.
He stated that France will collaborate with Singapore in a wide range of areas, assisting Singapore in nuclear energy development, sharing skills in energy decarbonization and electricity interconnection. The two countries also held in-depth discussions on artificial intelligence. France will always support efforts to strengthen ties between the European Union and ASEAN countries, especially in implementing new trade agreements in the economic sector.
In the presence of Wong and Macron, officials from both countries exchanged a series of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and letters of intent—a total of 13 documents—to deepen cooperation in several fields including nuclear energy, digital and artificial intelligence, defense, security, vocational and technical education, extradition framework, and aviation and maritime.