EU/Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Singapore, of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2018/1047, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Singapore, of the other part was signed on 19 October 2018, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The objective of the Agreement is to provide the basis for more effective bilateral engagement by the Union and its Member States with Singapore by strengthening cooperation and dialogue across a broad range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. The Agreement constitutes a stepping stone towards enhanced political and economic involvement of the Union in South-East Asia.

It is now necessary to approve the Agreement.

CONTENT: the Council seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Singapore, of the other part, the Joint Declarations and the Side Letter which are an integral part of the Agreement.