Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
127. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the last time discussions were held to promote strengthen ties between the EU and Singapore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29160/23]
View answerEU-Singapore relations are built on a long history of friendship and close historical, political and economic ties. In 2018, the importance of this relationship was reflected in the conclusion of the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which was duly ratified by Ireland in November 2021. The PCA provides the framework and platform for strengthening the EU's partnership with Singapore, including regular engagement on areas of mutual interest. In early June, EU High Representative/Vice President Borrell met Singapore’s Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Singapore. Last December EU leaders, including the Taoiseach, met with Singapore’s Prime Minister during the EU-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) Summit.
I met with Prime Minister Lee and Deputy Prime Minister Wong during my visit to Singapore in July 2022 as Taoiseach. As small, outwardly-focused countries with a strong commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law, Ireland and Singapore are natural partners. We discussed our growing bilateral engagement as well as EU-Singapore relations. I was pleased to exchange views with the Prime Minister on global economic recovery as well as on regional security and Russia's war in Ukraine. Singapore has consistently condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a clear violation of the UN Charter and has issued sanctions against Russia.
As a supporter of open, free trade, Ireland advocated for an ambitious agreement during negotiations to secure an EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in 2019. This agreement has been a key factor in the significant increase in trade with the EU in recent years, notwithstanding the pandemic. In 2022, EU-Singapore trade in goods amounted to €52.4 billion; trade in services reached €57.6 billion in 2021. The EU and Singapore also signed a formal Digital Partnership in 2023, during a meeting between Commissioner Breton and Minister Iswaran.
Ireland's trade relationship with Singapore has also been going from strength to strength with over €1.4 billion in two-way goods trade in 2022, a significant increase since 2019. Our two way trade in services in 2021 was €14 billion. The promotion of trade relations with Singapore was a prominent feature of my visit to Singapore in July 2022 and of the two visits last year by cabinet colleagues.
Ireland's Embassy in Singapore engages actively both bilaterally and in conjunction with the EU delegation on the ground to advance the EU and Ireland’s interests and to advocate on human rights and political issues of interest. Singapore remains a key partner for the EU in the region and I look forward to continued high level engagement in the period to come.
