Official Visit of Prime Minister of New Zealand The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, 17 May 2019

Prime Minister of New Zealand The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern is on her first Official Visit to Singapore. Prime Minister Ardern received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana this morning and called on President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee also hosted an official lunch in honour of Prime Minister Ardern. 

President Halimah and Prime Minister Ardern reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding ties between Singapore and New Zealand. They discussed ways to strengthen cohesion and inter-faith dialogue in diverse, multicultural societies such as Singapore and New Zealand. They agreed on the need to prepare our peoples for the future economy. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the importance of pursuing greater cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism. 

Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Ardern observed that bilateral relations were warm, with wide-ranging cooperation across many fields. Both Prime Ministers noted that Singapore and New Zealand shared similar strategic perspectives on free trade and a rules-based international order. Prime Minister Lee expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s longstanding support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ artillery training in Waiouru. Both Prime Ministers welcomed the good progress to deepen cooperation in new areas such as the digital economy. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the importance of deepening economic integration.

After their meeting, Prime Minister Ardern and Prime Minister Lee signed a Joint Declaration elevating our bilateral relations to an Enhanced Partnership (EP). Under the EP, both countries will embark on closer cooperation in trade and economics; security and defence; science, technology and innovation; and people-to-people links. Both Prime Ministers also witnessed the signing of the upgraded Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP). The upgraded ANZSCEP is a key component of the EP that modernises the original Agreement signed in 2000. In addition, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Ardern witnessed the signing of four other Memoranda of Understanding on science, technology and innovation; cybersecurity; the arts; and business cooperation. The text of the Joint Declaration and the list of the EP initiatives is at Appendix.

Prime Minister Ardern will depart Singapore for New Zealand tonight. 

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Appendix

JOINT DECLARATION

BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF NEW ZEALAND AND

THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

ON AN ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP

1. New Zealand and Singapore enjoy a strong and enduring friendship. Our countries are dynamic and outward-looking Asia-Pacific nations deeply committed to stable regional and global rules, and open, competitive markets. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations fifty-four years ago, relations between our countries have broadened and deepened. Our peoples have benefitted from the multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation that has enhanced our security and prosperity.

2. Today, New Zealand and Singapore have formally elevated our bilateral relationship by concluding a new Enhanced Partnership. The Enhanced Partnership provides a framework to support bilateral cooperation in (i) trade and economics, (ii) security and defence, (iii) science, technology and innovation, and (iv) people-to-people links.

3. New Zealand and Singapore are committed to working together to advance our common interests and concerns. We look forward to meeting regularly, including alongside international meetings. We also support regular engagement by our ministers and officials.

4. To build prosperity through trade and economic connections, our two countries have agreed on an upgraded Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP). This improved trade agreement modernises the 2000 Agreement – Singapore’s first and New Zealand’s second bilateral free trade agreement – with, among other measures, new provisions on e-commerce, regulatory cooperation and enhanced cooperation in food safety.  Both countries will also explore strengthening cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy.

5. The Enhanced Partnership builds on long-standing defence cooperation to further strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation. We have enhanced consultations through an annual Defence Ministers’ Meeting, and will establish a security and intelligence dialogue. We will also strengthen cooperation in security technology, and cybersecurity.

6. New Zealand and Singapore are developing a significant and enduring science, technology and innovation partnership to support long-term economic, environmental and social outcomes. We have concluded a Science, Technology and Innovation Arrangement supported by substantial joint funding to support world class science. This investment will establish high quality joint research programmes on Data Science and Future Foods to the benefit of both countries’ long-term strategic objectives. Both countries intend to expand the collaboration over time.

7. Strengthening people-to-people ties in support of tourism, business and learning is a key component of the Enhanced Partnership. Our citizens  have mutual access to each other’s self-processing immigration facilities at border checkpoints, and visitors will be able to stay 90 days in each country without having to apply for a visa in advance. Making our Working Holiday Schemes reciprocal will promote cultural exchanges by allowing more young people to experience each other’s countries. Working holiday makers will be able to undertake short-term work to supplement their holiday and cultural experiences. In addition, we will enhance cooperation in arts and culture, enhance training and exchanges between our civil services, and deepen collaboration between our education authorities.

8. A list of agreed bilateral cooperation initiatives for the Enhanced Partnership is at the Annex to this Joint Declaration.

9. This Joint Declaration on the Enhanced Partnership opens an exciting new chapter in New Zealand-Singapore relations. We are confident that the Enhanced Partnership will open new opportunities for our people to cooperate, for the common peace, stability and prosperity of our countries.

Signed in Singapore on the 17^th day of May 2019

Annex

INITIATIVES FOR THE SINGAPORE-NEW ZEALAND ENHANCED

PARTNERSHIP

Trade and Economics

• Upgrade of the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP)

• Partnership for Growth Arrangement

• Food safety cooperation 

Defence and Security

• Defence

• Safety and security

• Cybersecurity 

Science, Technology and Innovation

• Science, Technology and Innovation Arrangement

People-to-People

• Mutual access to self-processing passport facilities

• Improved visa conditions 

• Working Holiday Scheme

• Education

• Arts and culture

• Public Service exchanges

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