Southeast Asia

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Global Europe 22-07-2020

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 In the current situation, if EBA is to be withdrawn, it would signify "a nail in the coffin" of the already dying garment industry, the country's biggest employer, writes Sim Vireak.
Health 14-02-2020

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...
ASEAN 01-07-2019

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.
ASEAN 28-06-2019

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.
Central Asia 29-05-2019

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".
Agrifood 10-05-2019

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.
Global Europe 14-01-2019

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.
Global Europe 05-12-2018

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.
Global Europe 04-12-2018

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...
Agrifood 20-11-2018

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.
Central Asia 19-10-2018

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.
EU-China 16-10-2018

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.
Global Europe 08-10-2018

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.
Global Europe 30-07-2018

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 24-05-2018

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.
ASEAN 05-04-2018

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 21-03-2018

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.
Global Europe 20-02-2018

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.
Global Europe 23-11-2017

A European view of Trump’s China visit

The ‘America First’ policy of Donald Trump leaves a big window of opportunity for the EU in Asia, writes Geoffrey Harris.
Development Policy 28-04-2017

Malaysian PM: Uneven growth could fuel extremism in South-east Asia

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak warned today (28 April) that South-east Asian countries needed to ensure their economic growth was inclusive, or risk marginalised populations turning to violent extremism or even overturning political systems.
ASEAN 10-03-2017

EU-ASEAN trade talks show signs of life

The European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said today (10 March) the two blocs would try to revive plans for a trade deal, as European countries look to tap the region's strong growth.
Trade & Society 16-02-2017

Asia wants a stronger global role for Europe

Given the unpredictability surrounding the future of US foreign policy, many Asian countries are beating a path to Brussels to shore up their relations with the EU, which remains the strongest supporter of the multilateral system, writes Fraser Cameron.
Brexit 09-02-2017

Asian economies stress focus is on EU-27, not UK, after Brexit

Leading Asian economies stressed on Wednesday (8 February) their attention would continue to be focused on the EU-27 post-Brexit, ahead of any possibilities for the UK opened up by Brexit.
Trade & Society 30-01-2017

Migrants petition Thai seafood giant, as EU yellow card remains

More than 2,000 migrant workers at a major Thai seafood exporter called on Monday (30 January) for higher wages and better working conditions, a rare stand in a country where foreigners are banned from forming trade unions.
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