Sidestepping sabotage: human rights may trip up Singapore conference

Article Abstract:

Plans for improved Euro-Asian relations at the Singapore conference could be sabotaged by the row over Burma and East Timor, and human rights. Asean does not want Burma and East Timor issues included in the formal talks but Manuel Marin, European commissioner for relations with South and Southeast Asia, believes that 'real dialogue' should include discussion on difficult issues such as the differences in policy towards Burma. The EU-Asean meeting will lead to broader Asia-Europe dialogue involving South Korea, Japan and China.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Europe, Association of Southeast Asian Nations

---

Piece of the action: eager Europeans plan more ties with Asia

Article Abstract:

The European Union will give aid to Vietnam and perhaps South Asia in a bid to build stronger ties with the region and prevent the US from dominating its relations with developed Western nations. The EU's commissioner for South and Southeast Asian Affairs is helping to solidify a five-year, $300 million aid program targeting economic reforms and environmental protection in Vietnam. Negotiations began in 1993 but bogged down over human rights language and German insistence on repatriating 40,000 Vietnamese workers.

Economic assistance, Foreign economic assistance, Vietnam, European Union, Vietnamese foreign relations

---

Just desserts

Article Abstract:

The European Commission (EC) is contemplating the exclusion of Hongkong, Singapore and South Korea, from the Generalised System of Privileges since the system is meant for poor nations. Bureaucrats, however, fear that this could put a strain on diplomatic and commercial ties with Asia. Meanwhile, the EC is considering an alternate suggestion that quantitative controls be removed from specified items exported by developing nations to the EC, under the existing zero-duty quota.

International trade, International aspects, European Union. European Commission, Tariffs, Asia, Southeastern

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Safety net frays: South Korean authorities may turn blind eye to corporate collapse. Farming follies: South Korea weighs sweeping land reform
• Abstracts: Brand new start: IMF may resume lending to Mongolia. Donors turned off. Must do better
• Abstracts: Learning to paddle. A halfway solution. Currency play
• Abstracts: Disarray in the ranks. Local hero: drive to topple Sabah leader stalls. Trips to trouble: press campaign lands mayor out of office
• Abstracts: The unstoppable tide: rapid rise in Taiwan-China trade pressures Taipei

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.