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JOHANNESBURG<\/span> – Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong met leaders at the sidelines of the G20 Summit, reaffirming ties and discussing deeper partnerships.<\/p>\n \u201cHad good catch-ups with fellow leaders on the sidelines of the Summit,\u201d he said in comments posted to his social media channels on Nov 23.<\/p>\n He kicked off the string of bilateral meetings on Nov 22 with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.<\/p>\n They discussed ways to strengthen EU-ASEAN ties, and PM Wong welcomed the European Parliament\u2019s ratification of the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement.<\/p>\n The agreement, <\/p>\n signed in May this year<\/p>\n <\/a> is the first accord of its kind between the EU and an Asean country and is meant to set out the rules for open and secure data flows between Singapore and the EU as well as facilitate digital trade, among other things.<\/p>\n Dr von der Leyen said they had a great discussion, and that bilateral relations are thriving and built to last.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will deepen our partnership even further. Securing supply chains. Driving trade. Working together to keep our economies strong,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for your efforts in forging closer ties between the EU, CPTPP and ASEAN.\u201d<\/p>\n PM Wong then met Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, in their first bilateral meetings.<\/p>\n At the meeting with Mr Martin, the two leaders reaffirmed the strong partnership between Singapore and Ireland, one which was built since the 1800s. <\/p>\n \u201cWith close economic links and shared commitment to open trade, we see opportunities to grow in life sciences and tech,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n This was followed by his meeting with Mr Merz, where they discussed building on 60 years of diplomatic ties and their Strategic Partnership. This includes stronger economic, defence, cyber and digital cooperation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also agreed there is room to do more through the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership and the CPTPP, alongside deeper bilateral collaboration,\u201d he added, saying he looked forward to welcoming Chancellor Merz to Singapore for his first visit soon.<\/p>\n PM Wong then met Mr Schoof whom he said he had a good discussion with, as both nations mark 60 years of diplomatic ties.<\/p>\n \u201cAs two maritime nations, we share the same instincts: stay open, connected and keep trade flowing. We are strengthening our partnership to navigate the uncertain world together,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n In addition, PM Wong held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.<\/p>\n PM Wong said Singapore\u2019s partnership with France is strong and growing, and that both countries are continuing to work together to bring the EU and ASEAN even closer.<\/p>\n PM Wong also held a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.<\/p>\n With Singapore\u2019s diplomatic relations with Italy dating back to 1965, he said, they agreed that more can be done to deepen ties in security, trade and research. He also said he looked forward to welcoming her to Singapore soon.<\/p>\n PM Wong also said he reconnected with Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh, and was glad to see Vietnam recovering quickly from <\/p>\n the recent floods<\/p>\n <\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish the people continued strength. We also spoke about Vietnam hosting the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders\u2019 Meeting (AELM) in Phu Quoc, and I look forward to visiting,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n PM Wong also met Turkey\u2019s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and China\u2019s Premier Li Qiang. <\/p>\n He also thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the invitation to the summit, the first to be held on African soil.<\/p>\n PM Wong wrote on X: \u201cUnder South Africa\u2019s leadership, it was a successful and impactful gathering. Look forward to strengthening Singapore and South Africa\u2019s partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n