Also inked was an agreement to cooperate on artificial intelligence.
By TPS
Singapore notified Israel that it intends to open an embassy in Israel for the first time since the two countries established relations in 1965.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid was informed by his Singaporean counterpart, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan as the two met in Jerusalem on Monday.
Israel has had an embassy in Singapore for decades.
Lapid said in an announcement, “I welcome the Government of Singapore’s decision to open an embassy in Israel for the first time since our diplomatic relations were established. This is further evidence of the good and special relations between our two countries.”
Balakrishnan mentioned in a tweet that the embassy would be located in Tel Aviv. Officials did not indicate when the Singaporean mission would open.
Also on Monday, Israel’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Orit Farkash HaCohen, signed a cooperation agreement with Balakrishnan for the two nations to collaborate on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a move that will benefit the development and deployment of AI in both countries. Singapore is considered a leading country in the field of high-tech and AI.
The agreement was signed against the background of the global race for leadership in the field of AI, with the aim of strengthening Israel in this strategic field, which has become a platform and infrastructure for the world economies.
The agreement is part of the promotion of Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Program, and includes AI collaborations in the areas of food, agriculture, health, education, sustainability and transport between countries.
Singapore is also a high-tech powerhouse in East Asia, as well as a powerhouse supporting the high-tech industry through a government investment fund, Israel’s Ministry of Innovation noted.
Dr. Balakrishnan also visited Yad Vashem before heading to Ramallah for talks with Palestinian leaders. His Mideast itinerary already included a stop in Bahrain.
In October, Defense Minister Benny Gantz made a secret visit to Singapore, where he spent five days in security-related meetings.
United With Israel staff contributed to this report.