Malaysia, EU agree to launch talks for broad cooperation pact
International Herald Tribune
Malaysia, EU agree to launch talks for broad cooperation pact
The Associated Press
9 October 2006
KUALA LUMPUR. Malaysia and the European Union agreed Monday to launch negotiations for a broad cooperation pact that could lead to an eventual free trade agreement, a top EU official said.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU’s external relations commissioner, said such a pact would boost trade relations and allow the two sides to cooperate in new areas such as environment, energy security, anti-terrorism, research and technology.
"We have given the green light ... to negotiate a strategic partnership and cooperation agreement with Malaysia that could also be an offspring to a free trade agreement," she told reporters after talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.
EU trade officials will travel to Malaysia soon to begin talks, she said but did not give any timeframe on when they expected to conclude negotiations.
Ferrero-Waldner said she would also discuss plans for a similar cooperation pact with Singapore when she heads to the island-state later Monday for an overnight visit.
She said the EU planned to negotiate similar agreements with other Southeast Asian nations, except Myanmar due to its poor rights record.
"With Myanmar, the time is not right," she said." Myanmar should change its policies, release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and of course, start its democratic process."
Asked if this meant the EU is ditching plans for a broad free trade agreement with the 10-member ASEAN, she said: "We are talking with ASEAN but the agreement will be with each and every country."
She did not elaborate but urged ASEAN members to put the "right pressure" to prod Myanmar toward democracy.
European trade officials earlier this year expressed hope that free trade negotiations with ASEAN could start as soon as this year despite EU sanctions against military-ruled Myanmar.
Ferrero-Waldner said the EU had earmarked 12 million euros (US$10 million) next year to help finance ASEAN’s anti-terror programs including police training and human rights projects.
ASEAN groups Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
