Italy and Singapore have long-standing and friendly relations. Italy was one of the first countries to recognize Singapore after its independence in 1965. The declaration of independence was issued on August 14 and diplomatic relations were established a few weeks later, on October 28.
Bilateral relations can count on a large and talented community of Italians, more than 5,000, and a growing number of companies, more than 300.
Our relations with Singapore have intensified in recent years, as witnessed by the numerous recent institutional meetings. In February 2023, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Maria Tripodi visited the country on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition “La Grande Visione Italiana – Collezione Farnesina”. In March 2023, Undersecretary of Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago gave a speech as a speaker at the Singapore Defense and Technology Summit. In May 2023, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi traveled to Singapore to visit the headquarters of PSA, one of the world’s leading port groups.
In addition, in May, the Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Boat (PPA) Morosini made the first leg of its five-month campaign in the Indo-Pacific in Singapore.
Several City-State government officials and the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long visited Italy in 2021 to participate in the works of the Italian-led G20 summit.
On the occasion of the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial conference held in Trieste on 5 August 2021, the Minister of Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao, and the Minister for Communications and Information of Singapore, Josephine Teo, signed a highly significant Memorandum on digital cooperation.
Italy is also present at a regional level. On 9 September 2020, ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has acknowledged Italy the status of Development Partner. This Development Partnership, which became official on 19 April 2021, is nonetheless aimed at reinforcing cooperation between Italy and ASEAN. As development partners, the ASEAN Secretariat and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will co-operate on sectors such as connectivity, climate change and sustainable development, reinforcing women’s rights, peacekeeping and find countermeasures to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this regard, Italy has announced its intention to contribute to the ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund with 2,5 millions of euros.
Being a member country of the European Union, Italy joins the EU’s strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region launched on 14 September. With regard to this strategy, Italy wishes to contribute to the EU’s strategy aimed at increasing cooperation in areas such as sustainability, green transition, maritime cooperation, connectivity, human security, and many others.