S'pore, France to boost cooperation under upgraded relationship

Areas covered include intelligence sharing, defence tech and nuclear energy

- Ng Wei Kai

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, both leaders emphasised the continued importance of rules-based international engagement amid a shifting global order rocked by an ongoing trade war between China and the US.

PM Wong said that in an uncertain world, it is even more important for like-minded countries such as 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 CSP signifies the deep trust between the countries, and added his hopes for further cooperation in the business domain.

Mr Macron arrived in Singapore on May 29 and was scheduled to stay until May 30, delivering the keynote address of the Shangri-La Dialogue that evening.