Done by: Elaine Mong(4), Jolyn Hoe(7), Merlyn Koh(13) , Tan Yan Qing(22)

Class 304

Diplomatic Relations of Singapore

Social Studies Online Assignment-Diplomacy

Choice of Diplomatic Relation:

REGIONAL

What are Regional Relations?

The forming of associations with countries within a specific region

Involves the combination of strengths of member countries, to allow association to become stronger

Examples: European Union (EU) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

(SAARC)

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Singapore’s Participation

Example 1: Singapore Cooperation Programme

Singapore offers scholarships to ASEAN students under (SCP)

Allow students from any other ASEAN countries to study courses offered in local universities

Foreign students return back to their country to contribute to its development after completing their studies

Singapore’s Participation

Example 2: ASEAN Committee on Women Fifth ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) Meeting

hosted at Orchard Hotel, Singapore. Singapore Minister of State for Community

Development emphasised that all women should have access to resources and opportunities so that they could participate in and benefit from the country’s development.

Prioritised advancement of women in respective countries and discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation.

Singapore’s ParticipationExample 3: Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund SGD$5 million fund contributed to funding joint youth

activities in the ASEAN region over a five-year period till 2011.

Initiated by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

Created to promote ASEAN youth interaction and develop ASEAN youths through participation in ASEAN youth projects.

Aims to foster ASEAN unity in ASEAN youths and promote greater awareness of ASEAN internationally.

Contributes to greater understanding and closer ties within the ASEAN community.

Benefits of Regional Relations

Political Combines strength to put member

countries in better positions when dealing with other countries or associations

Association provides avenue for countries to resolve conflicts and disputes peacefully

Fosters strong ties between member countries

Benefits of Regional Relations

Social Establishing of a “Global City for Arts” Development of arts policies and cultural industries made

possible in Singapore under cultural hegemony between ASEAN countries

Singapore plays the role of the cultural hub among the ASEAN countries

Maintains warm and friendly relations with member countries

Member countries can provide support in times of need

Economical Gives Singapore a role to play in

maintaining regional peace and promoting economic development

AFTA allows our country to remain economically vibrant even when facing inte intense competition from economic powers

Import taxes among Southeast Asian countries are removed

Benefits of Regional Relations

National Interests

Security Terrorism is a threat to Singapore as it is to all

civilised countries. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a particular threat to a small country like Singapore where a single chemical or biological attack will have a catastrophic effect on the entire nation, as well as our neighbouring countries. Henceforth, we need to work closely in collaboration with countries around and surrounding us to prevent against the occurrence of external threats

Resources As a nation with limited land area and resources,

there is a need to import resources from surrounding countries for a continuous supply. Eg. Singapore has since signed four agreements with Malaysia to regulate water supply. Forging close relations with these countires can aid in trade and negotiation in attaining the resources we require

National Interests

Great powers Singapore has for many years emphasised the

importance of the US in providing the stability that is the irreplaceable foundation of Asia-Pacific growth since the end of the Second World War. A small country like Singapore can survive and prosper only when there is a stable balance of power. And the US is an irreplaceable part of any regional or international balance. However, self-reliance must also be ensured to escape possible domination or manipulation from these great powers. Thus, regional relations plays an important part in combining strengths to combat forced policies or decisions.

National Interests

Why is it more beneficial than other forms of relations?

Bilateral Relations Although bilateral relations can further promote political,

economic and cultural ties with neighbouring countries, it remains as a relation only between two countries.

It cannot provide strong support in terms of economical and military aid in times of crisis

Appears as less beneficial as compared to the many gains a country can attain in receiving help from member countries in regional relations

Does not help to maintain or improve terms with other countries

International Relations Though as a member of UN, Singapore does not

appear to have benefited much from it. The membership only allowed Singapore to gain recognition as a sovereign state, but did not help in fostering relationships with other countries

Economic experts initially sent to Singapore by UN only assisted in its development till late 1970s. Singapore was left to fend for its own economy after that.

Regional relations would naturally react quicker to a country’s needs in times of crisis, as less members would indicate a faster response to agreements. Furthermore, international relations such as UN has too many members, thus it may easily neglect one member’s need and cannot efficiently help to solve its problem.

Why is it more beneficial than other forms of relations?

The End

for your kind attention!