MFA Press Statement: Official Visit by Prime Minister of the French Republic His Excellency Jean-Marc Ayrault, 18 to 19 October 2012

The Prime Minister of the French Republic, His Excellency Jean-Marc Ayrault, who is in Singapore on an Official Visit from 18 to 19 October 2012, was officially welcomed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this evening. Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Ayrault made a courtesy call on President Tan, and met with Prime Minister Lee.

The leaders agreed that Singapore and France share robust and broad based relations, stretching across political, defence, economic, education, research and cultural sectors. Prime Minister Ayrault briefed President Tan and Prime Minister Lee on recent developments in France and Europe, and reaffirmed France’s commitment towards its continued engagement of Singapore and Asia.

Given the close ties between the two countries, and the common outlook shared in promoting Asia-Europe engagement, the two leaders agreed to elevate relations to the level of a strategic partnership. In this regard, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Ayrault signed the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Singapore and France. (Annex)

Following the meetings, Prime Minister Ayrault and Mrs Brigitte Ayrault were hosted to an Official Dinner by Prime Minister Lee and Mrs Lee.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Ayrault delivered a public lecture on “France, Europe and Asia: New Perspectives and Opportunities” at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and met with the French community in Singapore.

On 19 October, Prime Minister Ayrault will meet with over 70 business representatives from France and Singapore at the French-Singaporean Business Meeting with Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and French Minister of Foreign Trade Mrs Nicole Bricq. Mrs Ayrault will attend a ceremony at the National Orchid Garden where a new orchid hybrid, Ascocenda Jean-Marc Brigitte Ayrault, will be named in Prime Minister Ayrault and Mrs Ayrault’s honour. Prime Minister Ayrault and his delegation will depart Singapore on 19 October, after his visit to the Sports Hub.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
18 OCTOBER 2012
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Annex

JOINT DECLARATION

ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND FRANCE

1. Singapore and France maintain long-standing relations of friendship and growing multifaceted co-opera¬tion, based on a shared commitment to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, tolerance and respect of plurality within society.

2. Since Singapore and France signed the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Partnership on 23 March 1999, significant progress has been made in bilateral cooperation. Singapore and France agree that their relationship has now reached the level of a strategic partnership. Both countries share a desire to further broaden and deepen the bilateral co-op¬eration in the political, economic, defence and security, cultural, academic and scientific spheres. We also agree to strengthen our co-operation in addressing major international challenges such as international financial regulation, climate change or regional and international issues.

3. Singapore and France are both committed to the role of the United Nations in the development and preservation of international peace and security, and the promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms, in a world respectful of cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

4. Singapore and France are committed to an open, inclusive and transparent dialogue on global issues. Both countries support the principle of an effective, transparent and open multilateral trade system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and recognise the importance of the continued strengthening of the multilateral trading system. In working towards the conclusion of the Doha Development Round, we reiterate the importance of employing different, fresh and credible negotiating approaches while respecting the Doha mandate. Both countries agree to increase bilateral and regional exchanges and step up their dialogue on the issues discussed in the WTO. We recognise the important role the WTO plays in pursuit of trade-led growth for all its members and in the ongoing fight against protectionism.

5. We believe that the international eco¬nomic and financial crisis calls for the improvement of financial transparency and market regu¬lation, the rejection of protectionism, and the strengthening of the legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness of the international financial institutions. To this end, Singapore and France are committed to the reform of the international financial institutions and to the strengthening of the international financial regulatory standards through regulatory reforms as agreed upon at various international forums. We are also convinced that a close cooperation between the G20 and the Global Governance Group is crucial to make progress on global governance issues.

6. Both countries, which are key players in regional cooperation in their respective continents, are active participants in the dialogue between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Singapore and France both consider ASEAN an important player in our multi-polar world making an essential contribution to peace and stability in its region, including through fora centred on ASEAN such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit. We welcome the accession of France and the EU to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia in January 2007 and July 2012 respectively, and the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter in December 2008 as significant steps in the consolidation of this dialogue.

7. We acknowledge the importance of relations between Singapore and the EU. Both countries welcome in this regard the very significant prospect of a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement as well as a Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and the EU.

8. We reiterate our commitment to enhance the global dialogue between Europe and Asia and to strengthen the unique mechanism provided to this end by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Consistent with this process, Singapore and France reaffirm their support to the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), which brings together the civil societies from the two regions through intellectual debates as well as experience-sharing in education and culture, and welcome its undertaking to expand its visibility.

9. Singapore and France are major trade partners with one another in their respective regions. We agree that economic collaboration, which is already flourishing, could be deepened by strengthening trade, financial and industrial ties through regular high level dialogues and exchanges. Singapore and France undertake to promote balanced trade development, to facilitate reciprocal investments and to continue supporting the development of partnerships between their businesses. We recognise the benefits of efficient transportation and telecommunications links which will allow for greater flow of people, goods and ideas leading to greater trade, investments and tourism.

10. Singapore and France have undertaken to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, as well as terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and the money laundering associated with these activities. We share a deep concern over the grave danger posed by asymmetric threats to the security and stability of nations throughout the world. In this respect, both countries agree that multilateral co-operation in the field of security is crucial to combat these threats, in particular terrorism. We confirmed our willingness to strengthen existing contacts and operational co-operation, such as in the fight against maritime piracy (through our interaction at the Singapore-based Information Fusion Centre), terrorism, and exchange of information to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

11. Since the Singapore-France Defence Cooperation and Status of Forces Agreement was signed in 1998, Singapore and France have developed a strong, broad-based and mutually beneficial defence relationship, underpinned by shared strategic perspectives and wide-ranging co-operation, including major achievements such as the completion of the “Formidable” class frigate programme. We are committed to keep reinforcing regular exchanges of high-level defence visits and dialogues, bilateral exercises and collaboration in defence technology research and development. This partnership is of key importance for French naval and air assets operating in Asia and the Pacific. Singapore is particularly appreciative of the opportunity offered by France to conduct its Advanced Jet Fighter training in Cazaux. We will seek new fields of collaboration to further strengthen and deepen our defence relationship as well as our dialogue on regional and international security issues, particularly in the context of regional initiatives and fora in the fields of defence and security.

12. We agreed actively to explore, under the Singapore-France Third Country Training Programme, the extension of our cooperation to provide technical assistance to developing countries.

13. Singapore and France believe that cultural cooperation is an important building block in bilateral relations. Since the signing of the Government-to-Government cultural cooperation agreement on 20 January 2009, major cultural events have taken place in both countries. Singapore and France will build on this progress and continue to create platforms for exchanges and collaboration in diverse fields of culture.

14. Singapore and France have fairly extensive education ties, particularly in higher education. We will continue to encourage our education institutions to promote and expand student exchanges. We shall also facilitate research collaborations, through institutional partnerships and scholarship programmes, in fields such as engineering (information technologies, complex systems and energy), biological sciences (biotechnology, medical technology) as well as science and technology. Singapore and France wish to give special importance to applied research projects in partnership with the industry or those with an industrial application, as well as basic research projects.

15. Singapore and France recognize the importance in addressing the global challenges of energy sustainability and security. They agree to explore and establish cooperation in the energy sector, including improvement in energy efficiency and the diversification of low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable and alternative energy technologies as well as electric vehicles and intelligent energy systems. Singapore and France agree that there is a need for enhanced cooperation between Asia and Europe on nuclear safety. In this regard, Singapore and France co-sponsored the ASEM Seminar on Nuclear Safety from 13 to 15 June 2012 and look forward to further discussion on the issue within the ASEM and other regional frameworks. Singapore and France will also develop opportunities for bilateral cooperation on environmental issues, such as on sustainable urban development.

16. The Parliamentary Friendship groups have strengthened people-to-people links. Singapore and France agreed to develop contacts between members of their par¬liaments as well as amongst representatives of civil society. Both countries will support initiatives aimed at strengthening relations between the local authorities of the two countries.

17. Singapore and France reemphasized their commitment to foster understanding between their peoples, to facilitate human exchanges, and to strengthen reciprocal knowl¬edge of both countries’ cul¬tures and languages.

Signed in Singapore on the 18th day of October 2012

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

LEE HSIEN LOONG

PRIME MINISTER ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

JEAN-MARC AYRAULT
PRIME MINISTER