Asean, EU to meet tomorrow to discuss possible FTA resumption
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Malay Mail | 1 March 2018
Asean, EU to meet tomorrow to discuss possible FTA resumption
Kuala Lumpur: Further deliberations on the next steps towards the possible resumption of the Asean-EU Free Trade Agreement will take place in Singapore tomorrow.
The Ministry of international Trade and Industry (Miti) in a statement said it would be the subject of discussion at the 16th AEM-European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Consultation.The meeting will be co-chaired by EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström.
The meeting with the EU is being held in conjunction with the four-day 24th Asean Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings in Singapore. The event began on Feb 28.
The ministry said the session would also be discussing implementation of the 2017-2018 Asean-EU trade and investment work programme, stock-take on Asean-EU relations and exchange views on the recent global and regional economic developments.
It added that the 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting would take place on March 3.
RCEP Ministers are expected to deliberate on expediting the pace of negotiations, particularly on market access to goods, services and investment, as well as on rules geared towards facilitating trade and investment in support of the expansion and deepening of regional value chains.
Meanwhile, the AEM Retreat and Related Meetings will see an exchange of views and deliberation on the 12 economic priority deliverables for Singapore’s Asean Chairmanship, the AEC 2025 monitoring and evaluation operational framework and be updated on the progress of Asean’s external relations during the event.
“The Economic Ministers will also consider recommendations made by the High Level Task Force on economic integration, which includes streamlining the AEC work process, the development of the Asean Good Regulatory Practice Core Principles and an assessment of Asean’s readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Additionally, the Asean Business Advisory Council will brief Economic Ministers on its priorities and initiatives for 2018,” Miti said.
Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, as Miti Minister, is leading the Malaysian delegation to the AEM Retreat and Related Meetings.
