THE European Union (EU) trade commissioner said the bloc would still seek a free-trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) if the political and economic issues are hurdled.
Karel de Gucht said the 10 Asean member-states would have to work first on the full integration of its internal market to harmonize trade and investments in the region.
The EU and Asean called off negotiations for the ambitious region-to-region free-trade deal in March 2009 after seven rounds of talks. The EU said it could not proceed to negotiations for free trade with Asean due to political and economic reasons.
De Gucht said the political issue is obviously the rights atrocities in Burma/Myanmar. The EU tried to exclude Burma/Myanmar in the negotiations, but Asean had to maintain its policy of consensus.
“It is obvious that the economic development of 10 member-countries is not exactly the same,” said de Gucht. “It is difficult to agree when economic policies are not the same in each member economy, particularly in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.”
The EU has opted to seek bilateral free-trade agreements with Asean’s six members. He said talks are expected to be concluded with Singapore at the end of the year, while exploratory talks are being held with Vietnam. Other Asean members—Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines—have also expressed interest.
“Bilateral free-trade agreements [with Asean members] should ultimately provide a stepping stone for a future agreement in the regional context,” said De Gucht.
The Philippines and the EU have initialed the partnership cooperation agreement (PCA) that covers issues on human rights, migration, trade, political and security.
The leaders of the EU and the Philippines are expected to sign the PCA at the Asia Europe Meeting Summit in Brussels in October.
EU is the biggest trading partner of Asean behind China, and by far the largest investor in the region, accounting for 24.5 percent of total investments.
In 2009 bilateral merchandise trade between the regional bloc reached €118 billion, more than 5 percent of the total EU trade. –Estrella Torres / Reporter, Businessmirror
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
