Southeast Asia
Vietnam jails journalists, EU says it prefers ‘dialogue’ to sanctions
EU was hesitant on Wednesday (6 January) to resort to trade sanctions following the announcement of heavy sentences of journalists in Vietnam, a latest development in the communist country’s crackdown on dissent. Three journalists, members of the Independent Journalists’ Association...
EU, ASEAN upgrade their relations to ‘strategic partnership’
After six years of talks, the European Union and the ASEAN group of ten Southeast Asian countries upgraded their relations from "dialogue" to "strategic partnership" at a meeting on Tuesday (1 December).
Asia-Pacific closes in on world’s biggest trade deal
Fifteen Asia-Pacific economies are set to conclude talks on Sunday (15 November) and sign what could become the world’s largest free trade agreement, covering nearly a third of the global population and about 30% of its global gross domestic product.
EU should put more gloss on climate diplomacy in Southeast Asia, experts say
As the EU's climate goals become increasingly ambitious, it should engage more proactively with Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) to reassure them that the bloc's green targets are not trade protectionism in disguise and ensure a sustainable COVID recovery globally.
Analyst: EU has lost all credibility with the Cambodian authorities
The EU's withdrawal of trade perks that have given Cambodia quota- and tariff-free access to the bloc's single market is seen as "eminently political" in the South-East Asian nation and is unlikely to bring about a change in the country, Raoul M. Jennar told EURACTIV.OpinionPromoted content
Cambodia: Between COVID-19 and EBA Withdrawal
For Cambodia, the impact of COVID-19 is similar to a simulation of the possible withdrawal of the EU-driven Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme. In the current situation, if EBA is to be withdrawn, it would signify "a nail in the coffin" of the already dying garment industry, the country's biggest employer, writes Sim Vireak.
Cambodia stages PR stunt with passengers of ‘coronavirus’ cruise ship
Passengers on a cruise ship that was turned away from ports around Asia over fears they could be carrying the new coronavirus finally began disembarking in Cambodia on Friday (14 February). Cambodia’s strongman premier Hun Sen welcomed around 100 tourists...
Vietnam and EU sign ‘milestone’ free trade agreement
The European Union and Vietnam on Sunday (30 June) signed a long-awaited free trade deal that will slash duties on almost all goods, an agreement that pushes back against a rising tide of global protectionism and hailed as a "milestone" by Brussels.
EU trade pact with Vietnam close to finish line
As Brussels relies on bilateral talks to increase trade relations with the ASEAN group, it is getting closer to concluding two free trade agreements with Vietnam. But the European Parliament could yet prove to be a significant obstacle. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Kazakhstan calls EU’s new Central Asia strategy ‘visionary’
Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".
Malaysian minister: ‘Palm oil is a deal-breaker for EU-ASEAN trade relations’
Teresa Kok, Malaysia's Minister of Primary Industries, visited Brussels and other European capitals this week in a last-ditch effort to kill new EU rules that will ban the use of palm oil in biofuels – a measure European adopted because of concerns about deforestation.
Cambodian PM blackmails EU, threatens to exterminate the opposition
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday (14 January) threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdraws duty-free trading access over human rights concerns.
Commission to determine EU tariffs on Myanmar, Cambodia rice
EU countries failed on Tuesday (4 December) to determine whether to impose tariffs on rice coming from Cambodia and Myanmar from the start of next year to curb a surge in imports, leaving the European Commission to take the final decision.
Cambodia eases pressure on opposition, media after EU sanctions threat
Cambodia’s parliament is reviewing a five-year ban on more than 100 members of the main opposition party, which could allow them to return to politics, following threats by the European Union to deny duty-free trading access to the Southeast Asian...
Commission: Only ‘economic considerations’ could lead to tariffs on rice imports
An alliance of EU rice producers has called for restoring tariffs on rice imports from Myanmar and Cambodia, in part due to human rights concerns, but Commission sources clarified that the EU executive's ongoing safeguard investigation is linked to purely economic considerations.
EU spearheads multilateralism at ASEM summit
European leaders sought to build support from Asia on Thursday (18 October) in defence of free trade and the fight against climate change, to counter the growing protectionism of President Donald Trump's America.
ASEM comes to town
Apart from the UN General Assembly, the biggest gathering of world leaders takes place in Brussels this week, the biannual Asia-Europe meeting, known as ASEM. Representing two-thirds of the world’s population, trade and GDP, Europe and Asia have lots to discuss, writes Fraser Cameron.
Cambodia’s Hun Sen defiant despite EU trade threat
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has taken a defiant stance following a European Union announcement last week that it would ramp up trade pressure on Cambodia over human rights concerns.
Cambodia ruling party claims ‘huge victory’ in vote decried as ‘sham’
Cambodia's ruling party said it had won a landslide in Sunday's one-horse election, an expected outcome after the main opposition was banned paving the way for leader Hun Sen to prolong his 33 years in power.OpinionPromoted content
ASEAN can show the way for Europe on Trade
From Kuala Lumpur, the global trading system currently resembles a high-stakes poker game played by giants – China, the US and the EU. ASEAN as a region feels almost like an outlier, writes Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor.
EU launches project against counterfeiting in Southeast Asia
The European Union has put forward a project to strengthen intellectual and industrial property rights in all ASEAN countries. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
ASEAN countries unconvinced by EU trade pact
South East Asian countries are dragging their feet on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, with officials saying that the countries still need to be convinced of the benefits of the region-to-region deal.
They talk of war but it’s their own citizens these ‘strong’ men fear most
In the current geopolitical context, European support for those fighting for human dignity is more important than ever, writes Shada Islam.
