Singapore–European Union relations

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]

Singapore-European Union relations
Map indicating locations of European Union and Singapore

European Union
Singapore

Economic relations

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
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

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

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
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

References
  1. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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. "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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