Singapore, Qatar to work towards upgrading ties to strategic partnership

SINGAPORE - Singapore and Qatar intend to upgrade their bilateral ties, and cooperate more in areas like energy, defence and trade and investment.

The two countries agreed to work towards elevating their relations to a strategic partnership during a meeting on Oct 19 attended by ministers and senior officials from both countries.

Qatar will be Singapore’s second strategic partner in the Middle East, said the two nations’ High-Level Joint Committee (HLJC) in a joint statement issued after the meeting. The other is Saudi Arabia.

The HLJC held its ninth meeting in Doha on Oct 19, co-chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Ministers in attendance included those overseeing foreign affairs and industry.

It marked the first time the HLJC, established in 2006 to chart the strategic direction for ties between the two countries, was co-chaired by leaders of both nations in its 20-year history, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement the same day.

The Emir currently co-chairs institutionalised bilateral mechanisms with only the Turkish and Saudi Arabian heads of state.

PM Wong is in Doha for the first leg of a five-day visit to the Middle East, which includes stops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from Oct 20 to 22.

At the HLJC meeting, Singapore and Qatar also renewed a pact to strengthen long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chains between the two countries.

The deal, which was first inked in 2023, also promotes knowledge exchange and technical cooperation on LNG and collaboration opportunities in carbon capture and storage.

The agreement underscores the two nations’ commitment to facilitating stable LNG procurement supply chains and energy security, especially in light of recent market developments, said the joint committee.

Qatar, a major producer and exporter of LNG worldwide, is one of Singapore’s key suppliers.

Another area both sides intend to cooperate more in is artificial intelligence.

The HLJC said both leaders encouraged greater cooperation and exchanges of expertise and best practices in developing digital and AI talent.

They also urged partnerships that promote practical applications of AI and emerging technologies, including cooperation on cybersecurity and digital resilience.

Defence ties are also set to deepen further, with both leaders encouraging more exchanges in areas such as digital defence and maritime security, said the committee.

This builds on a defence services agreement signed in February between the strategic investment and procurement arm of Qatar’s defence ministry Barzan Holdings and ST Engineering, valued at $470 million.

Both leaders also welcomed Qatar’s status as an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, which was granted in July, said the HLJC.

It added that PM Wong and Emir Sheikh Tamim look forward to strengthening relations between Qatar and ASEAN, and between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Ties will deepen through platforms such as the third ASEAN-GCC Summit and continued efforts towards finalising an ASEAN-GCC free trade agreement during Singapore’s chairmanship of the South-east Asian bloc in 2027, said the HLJC.

The committee also said Emir Sheikh Tamim will visit Singapore to launch the two countries’ strategic partnership.

On Oct 19, PM Wong was received by Emir Sheikh Tamim at Doha’s Amiri Diwan, or Royal Court, where he was welcomed with a ceremony. The Emir also hosted PM Wong to lunch.

During their meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the warm and longstanding ties between their countries and exchanged views on regional and international developments, said MFA.

It added that PM Wong reaffirmed Singapore’s solidarity with Qatar and expressed confidence in its resilience and long-term economic prospects.

Both leaders also stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to promote regional peace and stability, said MFA.

Earlier in the day, PM Wong visited the Qatar Foundation, where he exchanged views on education, research and innovation with its vice-chair Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.

PM Wong had also met with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani after arriving in Doha on Oct 18.

In a social media post on Oct 19, PM Wong said it is all the more important for Singapore and Qatar to strengthen their partnerships and explore new opportunities to collaborate given the “considerable global uncertainty”.

PM Wong said he expressed his appreciation for Qatar’s important role in facilitating dialogue and efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Qatar has been a key mediator in several conflicts such as the US-Iran war and hostilities in Gaza.

“We hope all parties will continue to pursue diplomacy and work towards lasting peace and stability,” he added.