France and Singapore: Building bridges for sustainable connectivity between Europe and Asia

AT A tipping point of history for both France and Singapore, the depth and continuity of our bilateral relationship are more important than ever. At a time of fragmentation and global divides, when big powers want to reshape the world into spheres of influence – which have turned out to be “spheres of coercion”, as President Emmanuel Macron stated at his keynote address at the Shangri-la Dialogue in May 2025 – we pledge to highlight what brings us together. Transport and connectivity stand at the centre of our cooperation.

In this new reality, we do not want to be vassals to some, nor do we want to be in confrontation with others. We still believe in a third way that promotes dialogue between countries, respects sovereignty and international law.

We do not believe that politics of blocs will contribute to more wealth or stability at the global level. That’s why fighting against global imbalances will be the top priority of France’s G7 presidency this year.

Connectivity is key to building alliances and countering isolationism trends. Because each country, each bloc in isolation, is weaker than any country or any bloc interconnected. As a minister for transport, I know how air connectivity, maritime routes or land transport are key to fostering economic and sustainable relationships, at the regional and international level alike.

Europe’s strength is its single market of more than 450 million consumers, but also its trans-European transport and energy networks which increase the potential to generate trade, foster economic growth and boost competitiveness. This strengthens its attractiveness towards its neighbouring countries, reinforcing the influence of the Union in the European continent.

At the global level, the EU has built the most extensive network of trade agreements covering 78 countries, including two Asean member states (Singapore and Vietnam), which in turn open new markets for EU and Asean producers and supply consumer markets through the EU’s many world-class maritime ports, airports and land infrastructure.

France, also being an Indo-Pacific country, knows first-hand the value of enhanced connectivity between this region and Europe. We believe that both regions have their own part to play in the new geopolitical equation, pooling their strength to promote an open world and to uphold a shared vision of universal values based on human dignity and equal sovereignty of states.

The EU-Asean Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement signed on Oct 17, 2022, – the first-ever “bloc-to-bloc” aviation agreement between the European Union and a group of states – illustrates how powerful and innovative we can be when we are inspired by the same goals.

By liberalising all direct frequencies for airlines from the EU and Asean countries, this agreement translates regulatory alignment into concrete market openness, and has expanded connectivity for European and Asean business communities and citizens.

Across all modes of transport, I see how closely France and Singapore align around common values: safety and security, operational excellence and reliability, long-term sustainability and decarbonisation.

These shared values are reflected in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which transport is a key area of cooperation. France and Singapore share common characteristics as global hubs: highly connected gateway economies with strong regulatory credibility and outward-looking transport systems serving regional and global markets.

In air transport, we chose to put our common expertise at the disposal of the whole region with the launch of a joint Advanced Master in Air Transport Management, co-delivered by the French civil aviation school and the Singapore Aviation Academy to train future aviation leaders, with a particular focus on participants from Pacific Small Island Developing States.

In the aeronautical industry, French aerospace companies employ more than 2,000 people in Singapore, contributing across the entire value chain: from Thales on the air traffic management system and digital aviation solution, through Airbus and ATR on aircraft manufacturing and fleet operations, to Safran on engines, electrical systems, MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) and power systems.

In maritime transport, we collaborate at a bilateral and a multilateral level to show the way towards decarbonisation and digitalisation. Both countries are advocating at the International Maritime Organization for ambitious global regulations to reduce shipping emissions towards reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

As the world’s second largest container shipping company, CMA CGM is pioneering biofuel trials in Singapore, demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable shipping solutions.

In land transport, we bridge French and Singaporean expertise to shape the future of mobility, boosting disruptive innovations to strengthen infrastructure resilience and reduce energy consumption.

Alstom plays a major role in Singapore’s rail ecosystem, supplying rolling stock and signalling systems. RATP Dev, in partnership with SBS Transit under Singapore One Rail, illustrates a flagship Franco-Singaporean collaboration, building on joint successes in Paris with the upcoming line 15 of the Grand Paris express metro, and in Singapore with the Jurong Region Line, the seventh MRT line.

RATP Dev and ComfortDelGro Transit have also formed a consortium to bid for international projects such as the Copenhagen Metro operations and maintenance contract.

Together, we share a common vision, an agenda for action to be stronger in the shifting global order: building sustainable, secure and innovative connectivity between Europe and Asia.

The writer is France’s minister for transport