"Singapore is different enough to feel fascinating, but familiar enough to feel that it is home"
Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull
Australia was the first country to officially recognise Singaporean independence following Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965. This act of friendship marked the beginning of a relationship founded on common values surrounding democracy, defence and free trade. With the Australian government encouraging initiatives such as the New Colombo Plan, I was aware of a positive relationship between these nations. However, I have learnt that these nations’ respective differences are complementary, strengthening the significance of this relationship for regional prosperity.
Through multilateral agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, both countries enhance regional trade initiatives while protecting an open international trading system. It is interesting to see two nations that pride themselves on independence and economic success openly crediting their respective positions, in part, to each other and their common values. The High Commission reinforced that while Australia has the physical space to support SEF training needs, and possesses natural resources to share with Singapore, Singapore’s central location in Asia and position as a major foreign investor in Australia strengthens this strong bilateral relationship.
Singapore welcomes Australia’s participation in ASEAN, which fosters stability and economic success in the Asia-Pacific region. I believe that such an association reinforces their mutual focus on innovation as a means of facilitating deeper collaboration and funding to establish more dynamic economies capable of growth for future communities. Further, the High Commission panel’s consideration of Australia’s strengths and weaknesses established a link in my mind between Singapore’s identity and learning from other nations. For example, Australia’s strong emphasis on the arts could assist Singapore in strengthening the success of its cultural diplomacy.
Through cooperative initiatives designed to boost cultural exchanges, military development and economic success, Singapore and Australia continue to exist as strategically aligned nations. Both nations are clearly built on the success of free trade, and desire the same bright future in which regional security introduces ‘jobs and growth’ to foster continuing harmonious cooperation.
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