German, Singaporean top diplomats seek deeper EU-ASEAN engagement

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - The top diplomats of Germany and Singapore on Monday called for deeper engagement between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan hosted his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in Singapore for talks, according to a statement from the Singaporean Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed their bilateral relationship across the economy, defense, science and technology, the statement read.

They also discussed international and regional developments and “reaffirmed their shared commitment to uphold and strengthen international law, the rules-based international order, and the multilateral trading system.”

The ministers said they looked forward to deepening “engagement between ASEAN and Germany, and between ASEAN and the EU,” and announced the launch of the Singapore-Germany Year of Innovation (YOI).

The YOI will “further enhance cooperation between both countries in areas including AI, future technologies, clean technologies, defense technologies, business and start-up cooperation, and future-proofing our workforces,” the statement added.

Following the meeting, Wadephul thanked Balakrishnan for “the warm & heartfelt reception” in a post on US social media company X, adding that the YOI will “boost our cooperation even further.”

Wadephul also met Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who “welcomed Germany’s desire to intensify collaboration with Singapore and ASEAN,” according to the ministry statement.

Singapore and Germany established diplomatic relations on Aug. 13, 1965, four days after Singapore’s independence. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $17 billion in 2021.