bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

ASEAN

Preliminary comments on the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEPA)
12-May-2008
Brief analysis of the AJCEPA text
Flexible approach to drive EU-Asean FTA negotiations
11-May-2008
A flexible approach within the regional framework of the European Union (EU)-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) will help drive the negotiations forward, according to EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
EP: Trade and economic relations with the countries of South East Asia (ASEAN)
9-May-2008 European Parliament
The European Parliament is in favour of concluding a free-trade accord between the EU and the 10 countries of ASEAN. However, say MEPs in the committee, the agreement must meet certain conditions regarding sustainable development, the fight against fraud and respect for human rights.
India-Asean FTA faces hurdle at Indonesia end
6-May-2008 FE
The “last mile” talks on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has been further stretched as negotiators from India and Indonesia once again failed to resolve the dispute over their respective increased market access demands.
SME’s In Asean Need Incentives For Integration
5-May-2008
The development and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must be given extensive incentives in the integration of Asean economy, said International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
ASEAN committed to free trade pact with Australia, NZ: minister
5-May-2008 AFP
ASEAN was showing strong commitment to try to wrap up negotiations on a free trade pact between the regional grouping, Australia and New Zealand, Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean said Sunday.
Malaysia has met commitments on tariff elimination
4-May-2008
Malaysia has met its commitments on tariff reduction and elimination and opening up the services sector in the Asean region, International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Sunday.
Thailand swaps gateway with Brazil to regional trade blocks
3-May-2008
Thailand and Brazil would swap the role of gateway to Asean and MERCOSUR trade block in the Latin America to boost trade of both sides, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Tuesday.
European Union prods RP on drafting PCA
30-Apr-2008 Yehey
The European Union has urged the Philippines to start negotiations for the partnership cooperation agreement, a prerequisite deal for Manila to qualify in the comprehensive free-trade agreement between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
President Nathan says talks on ASEAN-Aust-NZ FTA to conclude in May
29-Apr-2008 CNA
Talks on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be concluded next month, said Singapore President SR Nathan at a state banquet at the New Zealand Government House in Wellington on Monday.
Indonesia hindering Asean FTA
24-Apr-2008 Economic Times
Indonesia has turned out to be the surprise sore point in the proposed India-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) that was scheduled to be in place last month. Jakarta’s insistence on offering lower market access to India than other Asean members has held up the pact.
Minister: New Zealand-ASEAN free trade deal close
23-Apr-2008
New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff said on Wednesday that free trade talks with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) may be finished by June.
Japan-ASEAN FTA (2008)
21-Apr-2008 MOFA
Japan, ASEAN finish inking free trade pact: statement
14-Apr-2008 AFP
Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Monday they had finished signing a deal to tear down trade barriers between the world’s second-largest economy and the 10-member bloc. The deal, which is set to come into effect later this year, was formally signed Monday by Malaysia, the last of the 10 members of the ASEAN bloc to sign off.
EU to speed up trade talks with ASEAN
14-Apr-2008 Jakarta Post
A top EU trade officer is in Jakarta to try and speed up negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and ASEAN — a process he says has been "moving relatively slowly".
Indian minister sees ASEAN free trade deal in months
4-Apr-2008
India is hoping to conclude a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations within three months, the country’s minister of commerce and industry said Friday.
ASEAN-EU FTA will bring disaster and sovereignty losing
1-Apr-2008 IGJ
Statement from the Institute for Global Justice in Indonesia
Japan, ASEAN sign free trade accord
29-Mar-2008
Japan signed a free trade agreement Friday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote trade and investment between the two sides.
India-Asean FTA hinges on Indonesia, market access
20-Mar-2008
The India-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) seems to have come within clinching distance, though the month-end deadline for concluding the negotiations will not be met. In the recent high-level officials meeting in Cambodia, the Indian side managed to make the Asean members happy with their side of offers. The Asean countries, especially Indonesia, however, have to come up with some more concessions to seal the deal.
Integration advantage
14-Mar-2008 FDI Magazine
Further integration into Asean (the Association of South-east Asian Nations) is top of the agenda of ministers in all 10 member countries, and is impacting upon their trade and investment policies. This stems from two important steps: the signing of a charter last November to give more structure to Asean decision-making and the intention to establish a regional free trade zone by 2015.