Singapore, Germany keep in touch during virus outbreak

WHILE the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted interaction between Singapore and Germany, active steps are being taken by both countries to mitigate the impact by staying in close contact.

"On the one hand, the 'new normal' has shown us what is possible and how digitalisation can help. Our health authorities were among the first to share information and the leaders of our foreign ministries have constantly been in touch via e-meetings," says Dr Norbert Riedel, the new German ambassador in Singapore in an exclusive interview with The Business Times.

"To give a more concrete example, Foreign Ministers Vivian Balakrishnan and Heiko Maas regularly meet online in the context of the 'Alliance for Multilateralism'. They just did so a few days ago on 25 September when ministers discussed among others the issue of international health cooperation.

"At the same time, there is no doubt that Covid-19 has taken its toll on us, particularly with the unprecedented downfall of travel. We need to keep our economies going, and strengthen our innovative forces. Both governments have done their part with comprehensive assistance packages."

Further reopening of the economies will be the next step, says the German ambassador. "We are in intensive talks with our Singaporean partners to establish a framework which will allow essential travel to take place. Singapore owes much of its wealth to its hub status: first as a trading hub, then as an international seaport and then as a hub for aviation, finance, etc. Many companies steer their regional business here for that reason."

Looking ahead, Dr Riedel says that more can be done to promote German-Singapore business relations as opportunities are opening up for collaboration in new areas.

"Germany is among Singapore's largest trading partners in the EU and the Republic is Germany's largest export trading partner within Asean, so even in these highly volatile times there is a well-founded base to build on. The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, as one of the most progressive agreements in place, has also further paved the way for an expansion of trade, for SMEs in particular, while positioning Singapore as the trade hub within Asean.

"With the unprecedented effect of Covid-19 on the world, Germany is seizing the opportunity to convert to more sustainable processes. This makes it the right time for collaborative efforts to spearhead the future economy.

"The pandemic also offers a window of opportunity to start, scale and sustain adoption of what has been termed in Germany as 'Industry 4.0', that is, the digitalisation of industrial manufacturing processes. Both countries offer a business climate that allows them to coin future processes and solutions," Dr Riedel adds.

But bringing people-oriented activities back to the previous level remains a challenge. "Getting people-to-people exchanges back to the pre-Covid-19 levels remains a huge challenge for our public diplomacy initiatives as well as those programmes which the EU-missions put on to bring the European Union closer to Singaporeans.

"Kahchun Wong, the Singaporean chief conductor of Nuremberg Symphony, has proven with his 'Beethoven 360° Ode to Joy' project how hearts and souls can be connected across borders via the power of music. However, not every format can be reproduced in the digital sphere," says the German envoy.

Meanwhile, the first-ever presidential visits from Germany to Singapore and vice versa by President Halimah Yacob and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have given the bilateral relationship a significant boost over the past three years.

"Our goal will now be to build on this and broaden our exchange. This has not diminished, but rather most of it has simply shifted to e-meetings. I am very confident that we will see after the pandemic that the first visits to Singapore will be for face-to-face meetings and am sure that our Singaporean colleagues are working in a similar direction," says Dr Riedel.

"In order to achieve the envisaged wide range of exchange, we need working travel connections. Part and parcel of all these contacts will therefore be about how we can find affordable and reasonable solutions to allow travel between Europe and Singapore. These are as important as personal contacts are on a political level, and of course, as important as keeping our economies running, continuing our student exchange or enabling essential family visits."

In July, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU, which has 27 member states, and will hold the position till the end of the year.

Says Dr Riedel: "Germany is well aware of its responsibility towards the EU. In an increasingly polarised world, we must strengthen our ability to act globally. During our ongoing Presidency of the Council of the EU until the end of the year, we will do all we can to face the Covid-19 pandemic and to help Europe recover.

"Crises have always been an opportunity to question things that we have usually taken for granted. Therefore, we should turn our attention to the major transformation processes of our time such as climate change, digitalisation and the changing world of work.

"We also support the European Commission in driving forward initiatives enhancing trade opportunities, such as a Multilateral Investment Court, or encourage SMEs tapping the benefits of the new EU-SG Free Trade Agreement. Last but not least, we do what we can to upgrade EU-Asean relations to the level of a strategic partnership."

Singapore stands to benefit from Dr Riedel's posting here as the new German ambassador because he is a senior diplomat. His career with the Foreign Office spans nearly 30 years - the same number of years of German Unity, which is being celebrated this year. He says that his time as deputy head of mission of the German Embassy in Beijing and as director for Asia and the Pacific in Berlin have turned him into a proponent of dedicating more attention and resources to this part of the world.

"In the same vein, I am committed to the European cause; even more so after several postings in Europe, in key Directorates for European Affairs in the Foreign Office and the Federal Chancellery. In an 'Asian century', Europe has to speak with one voice to remain relevant and scale greater heights. The new guidelines will also give direction to further strengthen these connections with Singapore."

Having completed his quarantine period, Dr Riedel says that he is trying to resume his running routine and has started to explore the jogging paths of the Botanic Gardens. "I am looking forward to discover more of Singapore in the upcoming months, be it its streets or its diverse cuisine, my other passion," he adds.