Joint Communiqué Of The Eighth Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC)

The Eighth Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee(SAJMC) was held in Singapore on 22 August 2014. The meeting was hosted bySingapore Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, andattended by Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Minister forDefence Ng Eng Hen. From Australia, Minister for Foreign Affairs JulieBishop, Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb AO, and Assistant Ministerfor Defence Stuart Robert attended the meeting.

The Ministers resolved to develop a new comprehensive strategic partnershipthat recognises the increasing closeness of our governments, the historicopportunities in our region, and the tangible benefits to be achieved for ourpeoples.

They agreed on a roadmap towards this partnership - "Project 2025" - aspecific set of actions towards this end.

They agreed that the new comprehensive strategic partnership will see newlevels of integration, and involve deeper cooperation across the Economic,Foreign Affairs, Defence/Security and People-to-People fields.

• In the Economic field, theMinisters agreed to deepen economic integration and upgrade theSingapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) to a Closer EconomicPartnership. The Ministers also agreed to enhance financial cooperation,including more integrated financial markets, strengthen two-way investment flowsand business activity in agriculture, resources, aviation cooperation, tourism,and other fields, including in Northern Australia. There will be closecooperation on how both nations can better integrate economically and benefitfrom a vibrant growing region.
• In Foreign Affairs, the Ministersagreed to elevate the bilateral dialogue and enhance collaboration on regionaland international issues, including cooperation in ASEAN and on regionalarchitecture and the East Asia Summit (EAS). They will embark on exchanges ofofficials and third country training programmes for the region.
• In Defence and Security, theMinisters agreed to further collaboration on transnational crime andcounter-terrorism. They will further strengthen defence cooperation and accessand enhancement of training facilities, and embark on new programmes ofexchanges at the military and officials' levels.
• In the People-to-People field,the Ministers will step up cooperation in research and innovation, education,women's issues, and arts and culture. The Ministers also agreed to expand publicsector cooperation and exchanges.

Recognising the significance of the 50th anniversary next year of theestablishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia, Ministerstasked officials to prepare a bilateral joint declaration which will be signedbetween the two Prime Ministers in 2015.

In reviewing the state of bilateral relations, Ministers concluded that thepartnership between the two countries is excellent, underpinned by sharedperspectives on strategic issues. This provides a solid foundation forelevating bilateral relations further.

Singapore Ministers in particular welcomed the Australian Government'scommitment to strengthen ties with Singapore and the region, through activeengagement and innovative policies such as the New Colombo Plan, of whichSingapore is amongst its first participants.

Ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments that have takenplace since the Seventh SAJMC Meeting in Canberra in 2012. Ministerscondemned the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine on 17 July2014 which resulted in 298 deaths, including 38 Australian citizens andpermanent residents. They urged the full implementation of the UnitedNations Security Council Resolution 2166 on MH17 sponsored by Australia.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

Ministers reaffirmed the close and longstanding economic and trade relationsbetween Australia and Singapore, as well as our commitment to further economicintegration and trade liberalisation. Our strong ties have also helped pave theway for cooperation in various regional and multilateral fora.

SAFTA Ministers acknowledged the SAFTA as a cornerstone of our bilateralrelations and its importance in promoting closer integration between the twoeconomies. Since the SAFTA came into force in 2003, bilateral trade more thandoubled from S$12 billion in 2003 to S$25 billion in 2013. Singapore isAustralia's 5th largest overall trading partner and largest trading partner inASEAN while Australia is Singapore's 12th largest trading partner in 2013.Bilateral investment flows have also continued to grow. In 2013, Singapore'sinvestments in Australia reached A$61 billion and Australia's investments inSingapore reached A$35 billion. Ministers recognised the importance of updatingthe SAFTA to ensure its continued relevance to businesses.

AANZFTA Ministers noted the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New ZealandFTA (AANZFTA) which remains the most comprehensive ASEAN+1 FTA and reflects theclose ties between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. Ministers also acknowledgedthe value of Singapore and Australia working more closely on ASEAN connectivity.

RCEP Ministers welcomed the progress of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) negotiations. They recognised the significance of RCEP ineliminating trade and investment barriers, as a potential pathway to a FreeTrade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and strengthening the regional economicarchitecture. Ministers reaffirmed their strong aspirations towards achieving amodern, comprehensive and high-quality agreement, and committed to advancingnegotiations towards these goals. To that end, Ministers urged officials to worktogether to seek an agreed tariff modality for liberalisation that builds on andgoes beyond ASEAN+1 FTAs.

G20 Ministers underlined the value in Australia and Singapore's continuedpartnership in shaping developments in global issues discussed across variousinternational forums. Singapore Ministers expressed appreciation for Australia'sinvitation to Singapore for the G20 Brisbane Summit and acknowledged Australia'sexcellent chairmanship of the G20 meetings. Australian Ministers welcomedSingapore's contributions to the G20 agenda, such as in infrastructure, tradeand outreach to non-G20 members through the Global Governance Group (3G).Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advance trade issues of mutual interestin the G20, including reducing protectionism, improving trade facilitation, andsupporting multilateral trade liberalisation. Ministers agreed to work togethertowards concrete deliverables at the G20 Brisbane Summit.

APEC Ministers welcomed APEC's progress towards attaining the Bogor Goals andeventual realisation of FTAAP. APEC's work demonstrates its leadership andcommitment towards Regional Economic Integration.

WTO Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based multilateraltrading system embodied by the WTO, which provides stability and predictabilityto international trade. Ministers expressed deep disappointment over thefailure to adopt the Protocol for the WTO's Agreement on Trade Facilitation andurged all WTO Members to remain committed to the implementation of tradefacilitation measures. Ministers agreed to instruct their negotiators tocontinue work to put the WTO on a credible path towards fulfilling Members'collective goal of global trade liberalisation.

TPP On the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Ministers agreed that both sideswould continue to work closely together to deliver an ambitious, comprehensiveand high-standard agreement expeditiously.

Aviation Relations Ministers reaffirmed the close aviation relations betweenSingapore and Australia, noted the SAFTA commitment to continue to work towardsan Open Skies Agreement, and welcomed the ongoing cooperation between aviationauthorities in multilateral forums, including APEC and the International CivilAviation Organisation (ICAO).

Defence and Security Cooperation

Defence Cooperation Ministers reaffirmed the close and longstanding bilateraldefence relationship. They noted that bilateral defence ties have expandedover the years with continuing professional interactions and exchanges under theframework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed atthe Prime Ministerial level in August 2008.

Defence Partnership Ministers acknowledged the strong partnership forgedbetween the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF)during international security operations in Timor-Leste and multi-nationalreconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, as well as ongoing counter-piracycooperation in the Gulf of Aden and cooperation in maritime security through theADF's deployment of International Liaison Officers to Singapore's InformationFusion Centre. Ministers also noted that Singapore and Australia'sco-chairmanship of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus)Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism provides another concrete area ofcooperation between both defence organisations. Ministers welcomed the ongoingdiscussions to expand military cooperation, including training, exercises,exchanges and information-sharing, between both armed forces. Ministers notedthe importance of regional Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) cooperationbetween both armed forces, and expressed support for collaboration effortsthrough regional mechanisms.

Renewal of Training Agreements Ministers discussed progress toward renewingthe Memoranda of Agreement between Australia and Singapore on the use of theShoalwater Bay Training Area and arrangements governing the operation of theSAF's flying training school at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce.Ministers reaffirmed the mutual benefits of such arrangements.

Police Cooperation Ministers noted the signing of the Memorandum ofUnderstanding on Combating Transnational Crime and Developing Police Cooperationbetween the Singapore Police Force and Australian Federal Police in Canberra inOctober 2012, as well as the convening of the inaugural and second SPF-AFPAnnual Exchanges in October 2012 and November 2013.

Nuclear/Radiological cooperation Ministers noted the signing of a Memorandumof Understanding between the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs' Office of theChief Science and Technology Officer and the Australian Nuclear Science andTechnology Organisation in November 2012 to collaborate in nuclear science andtechnology.

Other bilateral cooperation

Public Service Roundtable Ministers noted the convening of the thirdAustralia-Singapore Public Service Roundtable from 10-11 June 2013. Theywelcomed the convening of the fourth Roundtable in September 2014 which woulddiscuss health and government services for the public.

Sports Cooperation Ministers welcomed efforts to deepen bilateral linkagesand promote exchanges in the sports sector through a three-year Memorandum ofUnderstanding on sports cooperation signed between the Ministry of Culture,Community and Youth, Singapore and the then Department of Regional Australia,Local Government, Arts and Sport in June 2013.

Regional Developments and Cooperation

40th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Partnership Ministers welcomedthe 40th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia dialogue partnership this year,which presents an opportunity for Australia and ASEAN to take stock of theachievements in ASEAN-Australia relations and set strategic directions for thefuture of the partnership. They looked forward to the ASEAN-AustralianLeaders' 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit to be convened in November in Nay Pyi Taw, with a view to considering more regular summits in future.

ASEAN Community Ministers reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN's central rolein the regional architecture. They welcomed Australia's continued support forASEAN's regional integration agenda and the creation of the ASEAN Community on31 December 2015.

Open and Inclusive Regional Architecture Ministers underscored the importanceof safeguarding ASEAN unity and centrality in the evolving regional architectureand agreed on the importance of ensuring a rules-based, open and inclusiveregional architecture, including the EAS, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and theADMM-Plus.

EAS Priority Areas Ministers agreed on the importance of deepeningcooperation to help foster a stable strategic environment, including throughpractical cooperation in the six EAS priority areas of environment and energy,education, health, disaster management, finance and ASEAN Connectivity.Singapore Ministers appreciated Australia's strong support for the Master Planon ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), in particular through the ASEAN-AustraliaConnectivity Workshop that Singapore successfully co-hosted with Australia on 26May 2014.

South China Sea Ministers underscored the shared interests of Australia andASEAN in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law,freedom of navigation and overflight as well as unimpeded trade in the SouthChina Sea. They called on all parties concerned to resolve the disputes inthe South China Sea peacefully in accordance with international law, includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They urgedall parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that couldincrease tensions. They also emphasised the need for ASEAN and China tomake substantive progress on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, as wellas actions that can be taken now to implement the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the South China Sea.

Five Power Defence Arrangements Ministers reaffirmed the continuingimportance and relevance of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) toregional security.

Regional Cooperation on People Smuggling Ministers welcomed regional effortsto address irregular migration and trafficking in persons, such as through theBali Process.

Conclusion

Australian and Singapore Ministers looked forward to the forthcoming visit toAustralia by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in November 2014 for the G20 Summitin Brisbane. The Ministers also welcomed Prime Minister Tony Abbott tomake an official visit to Singapore in 2015, the fiftieth anniversary ofSingapore's independence and of the bilateral relationship.

Australian Ministers invited their Singapore counterparts to Australia forthe Ninth SAJMC in 2016.