One of the principles underlying Singapore's foreign policy is its commitment to maintaining a secure and politically and economically stable environment in and around Southeast Asia. Singapore, for example, has been a strong advocate of regional counter-terrorism initiatives, fearing the impact that another tragedy like Bali might have on investor confidence and on local economies.
Singapore takes the threat of a terrorist attack within its territory and in the surrounding region very seriously and has given firm (political and practical) support to the US led coalition against terrorism. The arrest of 13 Jemaah Islamiah members in Singapore in December 2001 for terrorist related activities and the subsequent arrest of 19 people in August 2002, has underscored Singapore's resolve to crack down on suspected terrorists and support tighter security measures. [1]
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a centrepiece of Singapore's foreign policy. Singapore recognises that its future prosperity depends to a large extent on ASEAN's economic progress and competitiveness and remains fully committed to efforts to forge ahead with the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), and the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA).
Singapore is a strong supporter of regional organisations built around ASEAN including APEC, (it is the host of the APEC Secretariat), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
To take regional economic integration a step further, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong proposed the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The proposed AEC goes beyond the normal provisions of a free trade agreement, and incorporates elements of a common market such as the free movement of capital and labour. At the recent ASEAN summit in Singapore in November 2007, ASEAN leaders agreed to bring forward the creation of the economic community to 2015.
Singapore is a strong supporter of international law, particularly the sanctity of national sovereignty, and accordingly, has played an active role in many international fora, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Commonwealth.
Singapore is one of relatively few economies where the value of external trade is substantially higher than its GDP, underscoring the role of trade as the lifeblood of the country. Singapore is therefore a strong proponent of "open markets" and multilateral trade liberalisation efforts and actively takes part in trade organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and APEC. It is also expanding a range of bilateral and regional free trade agreements. The total number of FTAs in force is 11 (12 from January 2009).
Besides a bilateral FTA that came into force on 1 January 2004, Singapore and the United States have forged closer ties in other areas. In October 2003, when the US President visited Singapore, the two countries announced the launch of negotiations to forge a landmark framework agreement on defence and security between Singapore and the United States. This agreement will include bilateral cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, joint military exercises and training, policy dialogues and defence technology. The two countries also announced the setting up of a joint facility, the Regional Emerging Diseases Intervention (REDI) Centre, to spur regional cooperation in the fight against infectious diseases and to counter bio-terrorism. The centre is based in Singapore.
Despite occasional bilateral disagreements, particularly with Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Singapore maintains strong relations with its neighbours. Any tensions must be seen in the context of the underlying solidarity of ASEAN, and Singapore's interests as a global trading nation.
The inaugural Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) kicked off in Singapore on 20 June 2005. The brainchild of Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, it was attended by officials, academics and non-governmental organisation representatives from more than 40 countries. AMED will not involve helping resolve Middle Eastern disputes, but instead, delegates will focus on how governments in the Middle East and Asia are responding to militant Islam and terrorist threats.
[1] According to Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs there are currently 23 Singaporeans detained under the Internal Security Act for terrorist-related activities.
Last updated: 04 December 2008
