Singapore and France are deepening their bilateral ties on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations by upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), expanding collaboration in key areas such as civilian nuclear energy, intelligence sharing, and defence technology.
Accompanying the French President were several key ministers—including Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard; Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu; Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot; Minister of Culture Rachida Dati; and Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz—underscoring the breadth and significance of the growing partnership.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Emmanuel Macron presided over the signing of 13 agreements during a ceremony at Parliament House.
Leaders hail bilateral ties
At a joint press conference following the exchange of agreements, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stressed that in an increasingly uncertain world, it is more important than ever for like-minded countries such as France and Singapore to strengthen their cooperation. He explained that he and President Macron had agreed to elevate bilateral ties through a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will enhance collaboration in existing sectors and extend it to new areas including decarbonisation and digitalisation.
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in French, noted the strong alignment between the two countries, highlighting Singapore’s response to the Ukraine war as an example. Singapore had imposed sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion, reflecting what Macron described as a shared worldview. He said the new partnership reflects the deep trust between France and Singapore and expressed hope for further collaboration, particularly in the business sector.
A Number of Agreements Signed
Singapore and France have signed a series of agreements to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including nuclear energy, defence, security, education, and digital innovation, as part of their newly elevated Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In the field of nuclear energy, both countries agreed to collaborate on safety, workforce development, research, environmental protection, public health, and emergency preparedness and response. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted that these agreements would allow Singapore to tap into French expertise as it explores the potential use of civilian nuclear energy.
In the area of defence, the new partnership will see expanded cooperation in sectors such as defence technology, critical and emerging technologies, and the deployment of advanced capabilities. Three defence-related agreements were signed to deepen collaboration across various domains, including non-traditional areas such as digital defence. These agreements also support the enhancement of a joint research and development laboratory, launched in 2023, focused on advancing artificial intelligence capabilities.
In the area of security, the France-Singapore General Security Agreement was signed, facilitating the sharing and mutual protection of classified information. This will strengthen collaboration not only in defence but also in broader security areas such as counterterrorism and cybersecurity.
Beyond security and defence, the two countries committed to advancing cooperation in technical and vocational education and launched a roadmap to deepen collaboration on digital policy and innovation. This includes technical exchanges on the use of artificial intelligence to improve public service delivery.
Additionally, Singapore and France signed an extradition agreement to allow for the transfer of fugitives between the two countries, further reinforcing their commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Singapore seeks more Partners
As a global shipping hub heavily dependent on international trade, Singapore has long prioritised building strong and diverse partnerships. It maintains deep-rooted ties with the United States and other English-speaking former British colonies in the region, while also cultivating robust trade relations with China—though defence cooperation with Beijing remains limited compared to that with Washington.
Amid an increasingly complex and uncertain global landscape, Singapore is proactively expanding its network of international partnerships to strengthen resilience and protect its national interests. The newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with France reflects this strategic outlook. As Singapore’s first CSP with a European nation, the agreement marks a significant elevation in bilateral ties. It builds on similar partnerships already signed with Vietnam and Australia, with another currently under negotiation with India.
This multidirectional engagement reflects Singapore’s pursuit of a pragmatic form of strategic neutrality—anchoring its position through balanced ties with major global players across regions.
