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Singapore–European Union relations

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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 they have an extensive network of embassies.[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 Singapore and European Union

Singapore
European Union

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 ASEAN and among their top partners globally.[5]

European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA)

Main article: European Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement

The EU-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] Its aim is 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] It 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 the EU living in Singapore 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][17]

Human rights and democracy

Human rights is an issue of debate; however, the two entities still generally have great relations on this front.[2] One example is the death penalty. The European Union is widely opposed to the death penalty,[18][19][20] and considers that the abolition of the death penalty would lead to an increase in human dignity and the development of human rights.[18][20] Singapore, on the other hand, imposes the death penalty for crimes such as drug trafficking and murder.[21][22] Occasionally, this would ignite a discussion of human rights and the morality of the death penalty. One example was the case of Prabu Pathmanathan.[23][24]

Censorship

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

Censorship in Singapore targets mainly political, racial and religious issues.[25][26] Singapore ranks 151st among 180 countries for censorship according to Reporters Without Borders.[27] The EU, in turn, generally has the greatest amount of freedom of expression in the world.[27] To become a member of the EU, the country must guarantee freedom of expression as a basic human right.[28] Thus, the EU and Singapore have varying views on the issue.

References

  1. ^ a b "MFA Singapore relations with Europe". www.mfa.gov.sg. Minstry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Singapore and the EU". eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  3. ^ Yeo, Lay Hwee; Turner, Barnard. 50 Years of Singapore-Europe Relations. https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/9584: World Scientific. ISBN 978-981-4675-55-0. {{cite book}}: External link in |location= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ a b "EU and Singapore forge closer economic and political ties". European Commision. European Commision. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Why Asean and S'pore still matter to Europe". the straits times. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ^ Tang, See Kit. "EUSFTA sends message that EU, Singapore are committed to free trade: PM Lee". Channel News Asia. Channel News Asia. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b "EU-Singapore FTA can help Europe seek similar pacts in Asia". the straits times. the strait times. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  8. ^ Heng, Janice. "Singapore businesses welcome EUSFTA". The business times. The business times. 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. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  11. ^ "Demographics". www.population.sg. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  12. ^ "First year as an expat in Singapore - lessons learned and tips for newcomers :)". www.mylifeinsin.com. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  13. ^ "Living in Singapore - Singapore Expats Guide". Singapore Expats Guide. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  14. ^ "Singapore Expats Services • Singapore Expatriates, Singapore Property, Classifieds and Forum Services". www.singaporeexpats.com. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  15. ^ "Top 9 Best Recruitment Agencies in Singapore - Singapore Expats Guide". Singapore Expats Guide. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  16. ^ "German Expat Shares the Reasons He Loves Singapore". TripZilla. 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  17. ^ Krich, John. "Why expats call this utopia". Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  18. ^ a b "Fight against death penalty". european commision. european commision. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  19. ^ Yorke, Jon; Behrmann, Christian (20 December 2013). "The European Union and the Abolition of the Death Penalty". Pace University Digital Commons. Retrieved 6 November 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  20. ^ a b "European Union Calls for Abolition of Capital Punishment as World Coalition Hosts International Death Penalty Conference". Death Penalty Info. Death Penalty Info. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  21. ^ "Death Penalty - Singapore". Cornell Center on the Death Penalty. Cornell Law School. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Capital Offences / Death Penalty in Singapore". GJ claw. GJ claw. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  23. ^ "EU Local Statement on the death penalty case of Mr Prabu N Pathmanathan in Singapore". European Union Delegation to Singapore. European Union Delegation to Singapore. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  24. ^ "EU calls on Singapore government to halt the execution of Jeffrey Marquez Abineno". The independent. The Independent. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  25. ^ "Limitations of Civil Freedoms in Singapore". Internations. Retrieved 6 November 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  26. ^ "Singapore Country Report | Freedom on the Net 2017". freedomhouse.org. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  27. ^ a b { {Cite news|url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking%7Ctitle=2018 World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders|last=|first=|date=|work=RSF|access-date=2018-11-06|language=en|refname=}}
  28. ^ "Freedom of expression and media". European Commision. European Commision. Retrieved 6 November 2018.

See also

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