(a) How far has Singapores involvement in ASEAN helped her to maintain good

diplomatic
relations?
[12]
L3 Explains how Singapores involvement in ASEAN has helped to maintain good
diplomati relations!
["#$]!
Award 4 marks for a weak explanation up to 6 marks for a good explanation
Singapore is active leading ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings to discuss securit issues
and confidence !uilding measures with other counterpart nations li"e #SA$ %hina$ &apan and
'orea( She has !een proactive in sponsoring and supporting regular opportunities for Foreign
)inisters of ASEAN to meet with their regional and international counterparts to discuss issues
of securit concern so as to promote greater confidence and transparenc in international
dealings( *his has earned the respect of the countries in the region in !elieving that Singapore is
eager to pursue foreign policies !eneficial to the region( *his positive diplomac through her
involvement with ASEAN has helped to enhance her good diplomatic standing( *here have !een
no ma+or disputes that have led to violence or war !etween the mem!ers ever since ASEANs
formation( ,nstead there has !een mutual cooperation on several issues these involve issues such
as dealing with terrorism( Singapore has also shared her e-pertise and "nowledge in several areas
with her neigh!ours such as ,ndonesia( She has offered ASEAN scholarships to deserving
students from ASEAN countries(
L" Explains %iven &ator' 2 other involvements that has helped Singapore to
maintain good diplomati standing!
[(#1)]
Award 7 marks for answers that explain the given factor and identify alternative
factor(s). Award 9 marks to answers that explain how the given factor and an alternative
factor helped Singapore Award an additional mark for any further explanations of other
factors, to a maximum of ! marks.
Singapore is active in supporting #N missions and commissions in international peace"eeping
and international law plenar sessions( Since her accession to the #nited Nations$ Singapore has
sat on the .eneral Assem!l and sent peace"eeping$ police and medical missions to countries
ranging from %am!odia$ East *imor to ,ra/( Singapore is also prolific in volunteering for
international law plenar sessions and discussions( She has !een involved in chairing the draft
sessions of the #N 0aw of the Sea %onvention( Her willingness to pla her part in international
peace"eeping has won her the respect and good diplomatic standing in the international
communit( *his willing to !e a positive contri!ution to the #nited Nations has helped enhanced
her good diplomatic standing(
Singapore is also active in fostering strong !ilateral ties to promote greater cooperation and
mutual !enefits( Singapore consistentl see"s to !uild good !ilateral relations with countries in
the region such as )alasia and also form new partnerships with those not traditionall in the
circle of contact( *o those in the region$ Singapore is read to assist in communit and
humanitarian missions eg( ,ndonesia and the 1hilippines( Singapore also e-plores new trading
lin"s and relations with countries further awa li"e 2ahrain$ %hile eg( recent F*A tal"s to !rea"
new grounds in forging win3win solutions in !ilateral cooperation(
L* Expliitl+ onsiders the role o& vario,s &ators in an explanation [11#12]!
2uilding sound !ilateral relations is the corner stone of Singapore diplomac and that is the single
most
important factor that has helped her to !uild close regional ties and to contri!ute positivel to the
international communit( .ood !ilateral relations !etween Singapore and other individual states
is the
!asis that allows her to function meaningfull within supranational framewor"s !e it regional
organi4ations li"e ASEAN or ,nternational 5rganisations such as the #N(