In 2013, Malaysia suffered an armed incursion from the Philippines by a group claiming to be the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, part of the resource-rich Malaysian province of Sabah. Malaysia was able to make an end to it, but as a result, it no longer paid the heirs an annual stipend of $5,300, stemming from a historical obligation […]
The Financial Times reports that The United Kingdom is “poised” to join the Asia-Pacific trade deal CPTPP, according to people involved in the talks. UK looks to ‘imminently’ join the trans-Pacific trading block https://t.co/hMi8Ivgii5 via @EllenAMilligan pic.twitter.com/GlKxcRJ0cj — Zoe Schneeweiss (@ZSchneeweiss) March 23, 2023 Part of the deal is reportedly that the UK will eliminate
UK poised to join Asia Pacific trade deal Read More »
This month, ambassadors of seven European Union member states have been meeting with the Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Huq of Bangladesh in its capital, Dhaka, to discuss the upcoming elections in the country, which will be held in January 2024. This follows a high-profile meeting at the G20 summit in India
EU turns the focus on upcoming elections in Bangladesh Read More »
Tensions between the EU and South East Asia over its deforestation now also affecting trade ties. By the end of 2023, the EU aims to agree the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Trade Agreement (IEU-CEPA). According to EU ambassador Vincent Piket, this is being complicated by the EU’s deforestation regulation. He stated: “We have lots of explaining to
Indonesia and Malaysia to send joint delegation to Brussels to address trade tensions Read More »
Despite warming relations between the European Union (EU) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a series of geopolitical, environmental and legal flashpoints could derail progress in 2023. On 14 December, EU and ASEAN leaders met for a summit in Brussels for the first time, signalling how significantly relations have improved over the past
More hindrances to a good relationship between the EU and South East Asia Read More »
At the EU-ASEAN Summit last week, Indonesian President Jokowi (picture) lashed out at the EU, issuing a warning related to the EU’s new Deforestation Regulation, suggesting that the EU should not attempt to dictate its standards to ASEAN if it wants to maintain its relationship with Indonesia going forward. He said: “There must be no
Tensions between EU and South East Asia during EU-ASEAN Summit Read More »
The Council, Commission and European Parliament are currently finalising new EU legislation on mandatory due diligence to stop deforestation in supply chains. In September, the European Parliament already voted to substantially tighten up the European Commission’s original proposal, which entails requiring companies to check whether goods sold in the EU have not been produced on
Tensions between EU and South East Asia over EU legislation deemed to ‘increase poverty’ Read More »
In an comment piece for EUReporter, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg writes: “The G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place on Bali, Indonesia (15-17 November) is an opportunity to focus on how to get the global economy back on track. Specifically, how to improve trade and economic ties between the EU and the major emerging nations
Lars Patrick Berg MEP: G20 Summit should focus on global growth Read More »
For the first time ever, the G20 summit, which is taking place in Bali, Indonesia, is also convening the world’s major religious leaders, in a bid to find faithbased solutions to global crises. It included an address by His Holiness Pope Francis. This gathering has been named Religion 20 (R20). At the occasion, a forum
G20 convenes leading religious leaders at Religion 20 (R20) in Indonesia Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe The German army is increasing its presence in the Indo-Pacific, relying on cooperation with “partners that share the same values” – like Australia, according to an investigative report by Deutsche Welle. The German Air Force thereby participates in an exercise in Australia, with six Eurofighter fighter jets. Around 250 soldiers are involved.
Germany increases its military presence in the Indo-Pacific Read More »