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ASEAN


Japan aims to ink free trade deal with ASEAN in November: Abe
Abe expects Japan and the 10-nation bloc to wrap up their negotiations during the Japan-ASEAN economic ministers’ meeting Saturday in the Philippines, paving the way for a signing by their leaders at a November summit. The FTA is expected to take effect sometime next year following approval by the parliaments of Japan and ASEAN member states.
ASEAN stops new intra-reg’l FTAs
ASEAN countries have agreed to a moratorium on forging intra-regional free trade agreements saying they would have to focus first on the completion of FTA negotiations with China, Japan, Korea, and the Australia-New Zealand.
EU-ASEAN: EU upbeat on prospects
Asean and the EU started unofficial talks on the free-trade agreement in Vietnam in July. They are scheduled to draw up a modality framework of the free-trade talks in the Philippines next month. This preparation is before Asean holds official negotiations with the EU early next year.
Free trade pacts with China, Japan to further weaken RP economy
Philippine trade deals with Japan and China, which President Gloria Arroyo recently urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to act on, will further weaken the country’s already damaged domestic economy.
ASEAN for early FTA with India
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is keen on clinching a Free Trade Agreement with India by or before their November bilateral summit in Singapore.
EU wants proposed cooperation pact tied to RP rights record
An official from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs admitted that given the country’s record of extrajudicial killings, the negotiating team is seriously concerned about whether the Philippines may qualify for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with EU, a requisite for the country taking part in the EU-ASEAN free trade agreement.
Thailand prepares for Asean-EU talks on free-trade deal
"The talks might be called a Closer Economic Partnership Agreement as the European Union wants the agreement as a comprehensive package which will cover not only trade, but also services and investment," Thailand’s chief negotiator said.
“Free trade” to deepen poverty and inequality in Southeast Asia
Statement of the Asia-Europe Peoples Campaign vs. FTAs on the 40th ASEAN Minister’s Meeting in Manila (July 30-August 2, 2007)
ASEAN hype
The press releases churned out about the 40th Ministerial Meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the annual ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) last week give the impression that ASEAN is well on the way to becoming a formidable economic bloc and a force to reckon with in the geopolitical landscape. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
China to seal FTA with ASEAN before signing one with Singapore
China will likely conclude the free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN first before sealing a similar deal with Singapore, said Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Zhang Xiaokang.
RP-based Korean firms seek free trade deal
Korean investors want more liberal trade between South Korea and the Philippines through a regional free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a meeting among economic ministers in the region approaches.
ASEAN urged to make progress on trade deals with China, SKorea, Japan
Southeast Asia must ratify free trade deals with China and South Korea and make progress on a similar accord with Japan, as the region prepares its own free-trade zone, the Philippine government said Monday.
Free trade pact with US is unlikely, Asean official says
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations probably will not reach a free trade agreement with the United States, Secretary General Ong Keng Yong said Monday in Singapore.
US downplays trade deal with ASEAN
The United States is not ruling out a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Southeast Asia but it is too early to discuss the issue, Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in remarks published Monday.
New Danish strategy targets free trade with emerging markets in Asia
A new trade policy strategy from the Government of Denmark aims at supporting ambitious EU bilateral and regional free trade and investment agreements — especially with new growth markets in Asia.
Asean FTA talks with partners not as expected
The results of negotiations for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between Asean and India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have not been as expected and areas are still there where consensus have yet to reached.
Is India ready to be part of Southeast Asia again?
The evolving geo-strategic framework inexorably impels countries in Southeast Asia to accept China and India as major regional powers.
Commentary: RP-Lao bilateral agreement a milestone in ASEAN accord
The signing of bilateral agreement early evening of June 8 between two ASEAN member nations, the Philippines and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is not only a milestone in the more than 50 years of friendly relations between said countries, it is also a landmark in the ASEAN accord.
Vietnam reduces tariffs on RoK imports
The Ministry of Finance has issued new tariffs imposed on goods imported from the Republic of Korea (RoK) following the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) coming into effect on June 1.
EC provides 7.2 mln Euros to support Asean integration process
The European Commission (EC) has officially launched a 7.2 million euros (RM33.2 million) programme to support the Asean integration process.