SINGAPORE (Bernama): Singapore and Japan on Wednesday announced the establishment of a strategic partnership to enhance diplomatic relations and expand cooperation.
The announcement was made by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Wong is on a three-day official visit to Japan from March 17 to 19.
In a joint statement, the two countries said the strategic partnership would deepen the foundations of their substantive and multifaceted relationship and expand cooperation in five forward-looking areas.
"It will also strengthen cooperation on a plethora of issues in the international arena, especially when the international security environment and multilateral trading system are confronting increasingly significant challenges," the statement said.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said both prime ministers also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of green and digital economies, as well as supply chain and economic resilience.
This will help both countries better navigate an uncertain geopolitical environment and deliver benefits to their people and businesses.
Additionally, both prime ministers agreed on the importance of working together to uphold free and open trade, the rules-based international order, and an open and inclusive regional architecture with ASEAN at its centre.
"As the country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations, Wong committed to working closely with Japan to implement the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).”
"This includes deepening economic integration and collaborating on digital and green initiatives, such as the ASEAN Power Grid," it added. -- BERNAMA
