S'pore & Qatar will work towards upgrading relations to Strategic Partnership, cooperate in energy, defence & trade

Singapore and Qatar have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) statement on October 19. The two countries discussed the upgrade during a meeting co-chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. This marks the first time the High-Level Joint Committee (HLJC) has been co-chaired by leaders of both nations in its 20-year history.

Both countries reaffirmed their warm and longstanding relations during the meeting. The MFA also noted that Qatar will become Singapore's second Strategic Partner in the Middle East, following Saudi Arabia. The leaders welcomed cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, energy, and defence. They also expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of upholding navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.