Singapore and New Zealand sign strategic partnership
New Zealand and Singapore have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership, with their prime ministers pledging to continue finding ways to work together to preserve the international rules-based order.
The countries have maintained political ties for 60 years and in 2019 signed an enhanced partnership agreement covering trade and economy, defense and security, and supply chains.
“Singapore is one of our closest partners. As small states, it is important that we work side by side to keep trade open, strengthen security and defend the rules-based order,” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said after the agreement was signed on Friday.
“Through CSP, we are committed to tackling the next generation of challenges together, from supply chain resilience and digital trade to climate change and maritime security,” Luxon added.
The countries also signed an agreement on trade in essential supplies, formalizing an arrangement that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, under which air transport between the countries continues despite small numbers of passengers on flights.
The legally binding agreement means both governments have committed not to impose export restrictions on some key products such as medicines and other essential supplies, even in times of crisis, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at a joint press conference.
“I think this is an agreement that will reassure both our countries and our people that we will always be there for each other in times of need,” Wong said.
Wong, who left New Zealand on Saturday, visited Australia earlier in the week and agreed an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership between Canberra and Singapore that will deepen defense ties.
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