Singapore and Australia’s upgrade of ties can help strengthen wider multilateralism: PM Wong
Inked in 2015, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has delivered ‘real and tangible benefits’, with more than 110 initiatives
[SINGAPORE] Singapore and Australia’s upgrade of bilateral ties will not only benefit both countries, but also can help strengthen multilateralism more widely, said Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (Oct 8).
Relations between the two countries are being taken to the next level with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2.0, a step up from the CSP first inked 10 years ago.
The CSP 2.0 consists of 80 initiatives, including 20 new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and agreements, as well as 11 new dialogues across five pillars of bilateral cooperation, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The pillars are related to defence, economy, climate change, emerging technologies and deepening friendships and exchanges.
Australia was the first country with which Singapore established a CSP, and this is also the first such partnership to be upgraded. The occasion also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
In a joint press conference in Canberra, PM Wong said the CSP has delivered “real and tangible benefits” for both countries, with more than 110 initiatives.
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These include pathfinders such as the world’s first digital and green economy agreements. These have helped other countries think about digital rules for the global economy, said PM Wong, as well as how trade and climate action can come together within the World Trade Organization’s framework.
“So when we work together like that, we are not only looking at bilateral initiatives that benefit each one of us, but also looking with a view to preserve important multilateral frameworks or strengthen multilateral frameworks that enable us to keep the rules-based global system going,” PM Wong said.
Both countries have also forged closer business links, with more than 5,000 Australian companies now using Singapore as a launchpad to access opportunities in the region.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese said both countries have a common world view on the importance of multilateralism, free and fair trade, and multilateral institutions – including Asean and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, which will both meet soon.
He also congratulated Singapore on last month’s launch of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, which has 14 founding members across continents.
“Australia certainly supports the goals of the partnership – we’ll consider our position on the partnership itself,” he said.
PM Wong is in Australia until Oct 9, and will then be in New Zealand until Oct 11, for his introductory visit after taking the helm last May.
Closer cooperation
Albanese noted that under the CSP, the “ambitious next phase” of bilateral partnership will increase cooperation across a broad range of areas, such as defence; the economy, including supply chain resilience; climate change; pandemic preparedness; as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
He added that they are also furthering partnerships between their public service, universities and art institutions.
Alongside the launch of the CSP 2.0, Singapore and Australia have inked a series of MOUs, including an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, an economic resilience agreement and one on working with Asean partners.
Under the economic resilience agreement, both countries will ensure the continued flow of critical goods even during disruptions.
“We are looking broadly at a range of essential supplies – food, medical – but it builds on, importantly, the experiences both our countries had during Covid,” said PM Wong.
“Many countries had imposed restrictions on exports and imports… but because of the trust that we have between Australia and Singapore, we kept supply lines flowing between our two countries, we even had vaccine swaps to support one another.”
Both countries also plan to enhance their green partnership by refreshing their green economy agreement and holding a ministerial dialogue on energy, he said.
“We will support Australia’s vision to become a renewable energy superpower by connecting your abundant resources with South-east Asia’s growing demand for clean power.”
Singapore will continue to support Australia’s efforts to deepen its engagement with South-east Asia, he added.
Under an MOU on their Third Country Training Programme, Singapore and Australia will work together to deliver “capacity-building programmes” for South-east Asian countries, including Asean’s soon-to-be newest member Timor-Leste.
“All in all, we have a full and ambitious agenda ahead of us,” said PM Wong. “Prime Minister Albanese and I have asked our ministers to begin implementing the CSP 2.0 in earnest, and we look forward to the updates.”
He added that the world is becoming more uncertain and unsettled, but Australia and Singapore share “a common strategic perspective that is built on a deep reservoir of trust”.
Albanese thanked Singapore for six decades of partnership, adding: “This has been a partnership between leaders, between nations, but most importantly, between peoples.”
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