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Pact allowing RSAF to use Australian airbase for 25 more years inked

SINGAPORE — Singapore and Australia have signed a treaty to extend the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) access to Pearce airbase in Western Australia for a further 25 years, after the existing deal expires next year.

File photo of Pearce air base in Western Australia. Photo: www.defence.gov.au

File photo of Pearce air base in Western Australia. Photo: www.defence.gov.au

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SINGAPORE — Singapore and Australia have signed a treaty to extend the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) access to Pearce airbase in Western Australia for a further 25 years, after the existing deal expires next year.

Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne signed the new deal on Monday (Aug 21) at the 10th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC), a high-level bilateral dialogue involving the foreign, defence and trade ministers.

The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allows the RSAF to maintain and operate a Flying Training Institute at Base Pearce in Western Australia till 2018.

The MOU — signed in March 1993 and valid for 25 years — has now been upgraded to a bilateral treaty and will have to be ratified by the Australian Parliament.

Ms Payne noted during a joint press conference with Dr Ng that Singapore and Australia have a “ very solid, deep and strong bilateral defence relationship”, adding that both sides have shared interests in a safe and secure region. 

She added that the Pearce treaty was a “great example” of partnership between both sides.

On his part, Dr Ng said that he was “delighted” with the extension.

The RSAF’s 130 Squadron conducts a nine-month Basic Wings Course at Pearce before the pilot trainees progress to advanced aircraft training. More than 90 RSAF personnel and 19 Pilatus PC-21 trainer aircraft are currently in the detachment.  

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who co-chaired the SAJMC with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop, described Monday's meetings as “good and productive”.

“Australia and Singapore are old friends,” he said. “We can’t find anything to disagree about at the strategic level.”

Concurring, Ms Bishop said the discussions “reminded us of how like-minded Singapore and Australia are”. 

“We value very much Singapore’s inputs, perspectives and insights (on geopolitical issues),” she added.

During the SAJMC, both sides also agreed to strengthen tourism cooperation under a MOU signed by Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo. 

The MOU would facilitate the sharing of insights and approaches to address tourism supply issues, as well as opportunities in investments and infrastructure enhancements. 

“What motivates customers or tourists from countries like China to visit Singapore and Australia? Can we find opportunities to work together to drive more tourists and more demand? That is really the key focus (of the agreement),” Mr Ciobo told reporters at a side event where he met Australian start-ups who have partnered with Singapore companies.

Singapore and Australia share a long-standing and multi-faceted relationship, and both sides signed a joint declaration on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2015 to deepen economic integration, expand defence cooperation, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthen people-to-people ties over the next decade.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Monday evening that the ministers participating in the SAJMC noted that it has played a pivotal role in developing deep and multi-faceted bilateral ties.

After the SAJMC meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean hosted the ministers for lunch and discussed strategic and security developments in the region. 

Later in the afternoon, the Australian ministers called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, where they exchanged views on key regional and international trends.

“PM Lee and the Australian ministers reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations and wide-ranging cooperation” said the MFA statement. 

“PM Lee expressed support for Australia’s hosting of the Asean (Association of South-east Asian Nations)-Australia Special Summit in March 2018 in Sydney, which he will co-chair with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.”

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