Singapore–European Union relations

Bilateral relations

Singapore-European Union relations

European Union |
Singapore

Singapore and European Union relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Republic of Singapore and the European Union. The two entities generally maintain good relations.[1][2] Their leaders hold regular exchanges, and Singapore has an extensive network of embassies within the European Union.[1] Singapore's relations with the European Union date back to Singapore's independence in 1965,[2][3] and to date, they have signed multiple agreements.[4]

## Economic relations

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The EU views Singapore as a crucial partner financially in a quickly developing region.[2] Singapore remains the EU's most important economic partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and is one if its top partners globally.[5]

### European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

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Main article: European Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement

The European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which was first proposed in 2013, is regarded by some as "the cornerstone of economic ties."[4] It was signed on 19 October 2018.[6] It aims to remove barriers to trade and investment in the EU and Singapore.[2] The EUSFTA, which is pending ratification, would be the first bilateral pact between the EU and an ASEAN nation.[7] The agreement was met with widespread approval with many companies welcoming the agreement.[8] The agreement might lead the way to more similar pacts in Asia.[7]

Among other things, the agreement would reduce tariffs for the importing and exporting of goods between Singapore and the EU.[9] Business in both areas may also bid on government projects.[9] All ASEAN products would be considered as being from Singapore when determining tariff rates.[9]

## Expatriatism

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There are many expatriates from Singapore living in the EU and vice versa,[10][11] and there are numerous resources available to help in the process of expatriation.[12][13][14] There are also many agencies catering to expatriates.[15] Expatriates usually have a great relationship with their host country.[16]

## Human rights and democracy

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The European Union and Singapore have very different policies regarding human rights, but they still maintain good relations.[2] One example is the death penalty. The European Union is widely opposed to the death penalty,[17][18][19] and considers that the abolition of the death penalty would lead to an increase in human dignity and the development of human rights.[17][19] Singapore, on the other hand, imposes the death penalty for crimes such as drug trafficking and murder.[20][21] Occasionally, this ignites a discussion of human rights and the morality of the death penalty, such as in the case of Prabu Pathmanathan.[22][23]

### Censorship

[edit]

Main articles: Censorship in Singapore, Freedom of the press, and Media freedom in the European Union

Censorship in Singapore primarily targets political, racial and religious issues.[24][25] Singapore ranks 151st among 180 countries for censorship according to Reporters Without Borders.[26] The EU, in turn, generally has the greatest amount of freedom of expression in the world.[26] For a country to join the EU, it must first guarantee freedom of expression as a basic human right.[27]

## See also

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* ASEAN-European Union relations
* European Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement

## References

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1. ^ a b "MFA Singapore relations with Europe". www.mfa.gov.sg. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
2. ^ a b c d e "Singapore and the EU". eeas.europa.eu. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
3. ^ Lay, Hwee Yeo; Turner, Barnard (2015). 50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations : Celebrating Singapore's Connections with Europe. Singapore. ISBN 978-981-4675-55-0. OCLC 910802479.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. ^ a b "EU and Singapore forge closer economic and political ties". European Commission. Archived from the original on 2018-10-21. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
5. ^ "Why Asean and S'pore still matter to Europe". the straits times. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
6. ^ Tang, See Kit. "EUSFTA sends message that EU, Singapore are committed to free trade: PM Lee". Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
7. ^ a b "EU-Singapore FTA can help Europe seek similar pacts in Asia". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
8. ^ Heng, Janice. "Singapore businesses welcome EUSFTA". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
9. ^ a b c "Introduction to the EUSFTA". Facebook. Ministry of Trade and Industry. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
10. ^ Expats, Singapore. "Statistics on Numbers of Expats in Sg • Singapore Expats Forum". forum.singaporeexpats.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-14. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
11. ^ "Demographics". www.population.sg. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
12. ^ "First year as an expat in Singapore - lessons learned and tips for newcomers :)". www.mylifeinsin.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
13. ^ "Living in Singapore - Singapore Expats Guide". Singapore Expats Guide. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
14. ^ "Singapore Expats Services • Singapore Expatriates, Singapore Property, Classifieds and Forum Services". www.singaporeexpats.com. Archived from the original on 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
15. ^ "Top 9 Best Recruitment Agencies in Singapore - Singapore Expats Guide". Singapore Expats Guide. 2018-08-05. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
16. ^ Krich, John. "Why expats call this utopia". Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
17. ^ a b "Fight against death penalty". European Commission. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
18. ^ Yorke, Jon; Behrmann, Christian (20 December 2013). "The European Union and the Abolition of the Death Penalty". Pace University Digital Commons. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
19. ^ a b "European Union Calls for Abolition of Capital Punishment as World Coalition Hosts International Death Penalty Conference". Death Penalty Info. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
20. ^ "Death Penalty - Singapore". Cornell Center on the Death Penalty. Cornell Law School. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
21. ^ "Capital Offences / Death Penalty in Singapore". GJ claw. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
22. ^ "EU Local Statement on the death penalty case of Mr Prabu N Pathmanathan in Singapore". European Union Delegation to Singapore. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
23. ^ "EU calls on Singapore government to halt the execution of Jeffrey Marquez Abineno". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
24. ^ "Limitations of Civil Freedoms in Singapore". Internations. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
25. ^ "Singapore Country Report | Freedom on the Net 2017". freedomhouse.org. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
26. ^ a b "2018 World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders". RSF. Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
27. ^ "Freedom of expression and media". European Commission. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.

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Foreign relations of Singapore

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Foreign relations of the European Union

Bilateral relations

See also: Economic relationships with third countries

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Former|

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* †= Disputed state, may not be recognised as an independent state by some or all European Union members.

Multilateral relations and initiatives

| Organisations|

* Arab League
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|

Initiatives|

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Administration and policies

| Foreign and Security Policy|

* Global Strategy
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|

Administration|

* Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department
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* Special Representatives

Funding|

* Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
* Global Europe

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* e

Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union

Leadership|

* High Representative
* Director General of the Military Staff/Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability
* Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability
* Chairman of the Military Committee
* European Council
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Structure|

| External Action Service|

* Command structure on the civilian/military strategic and operational levels (Military Planning and Conduct Capability within the Military Staff, Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, Joint Support Coordination Cell)
* Intelligence and Situation Centre (Club de Berne)
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|

Agencies|

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Council preparatory bodies|

* Committee of Permanent Representatives
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European Commission bodies|

* Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space

Funding|

* Defence Fund

Policies|

* Security Strategy
* Everything but Arms
* Annual Review

Equipment|

* Galileo navigation system
* Secure Software-defined Radio (PESCO)

Decorations|

* Service medal
* Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service
* Monitor mission medal

Related|

* Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
* Headline Goal 2010
* Military Erasmus
* Military Mobility (PESCO)
* Intelligence School (PESCO)
* Kortenberg building
* NATO relations (Berlin Plus agreement, Joint Declaration)

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