Asia and the EU

Latest news about Asia and the European Union

Asia and the EU

Vietnam urges EU to end tariffs on leather shoes — 07 October 2008, 15:45 CET

Vietnam has criticised the EU's continued anti-dumping tariffs on some shoes, saying they would hit 500,000 workers in the country's footwear industry.

EU aid for insurgency-hit south Philippines — 06 October 2008, 09:19 CET

The European Union said Monday it will extend seven million euros, or almost 10 million dollars, in emergency aid for people displaced by the Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines.

France and India vow to boost civil nuclear cooperation — 29 September 2008, 18:50 CET

Indian and French leaders vowed to boost nuclear energy cooperation on Monday at an annual summit on EU-India ties dominated by trade, global warming and the world financial crisis.

China's Wen vows to make 'made in China' brand safe — 27 September 2008, 22:36 CET

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao vowed Saturday to ensure the 'Made in China' brand was safe for consumers at home and abroad, as a mounting contamination scandal led to a new European Union import ban.

EU bans Chinese milk products for children — 29 September 2008, 18:47 CET

The EU banned all imports Saturday on Chinese milk-related products for children such as biscuits and chocolate as Beijing struggled to contain a mounting contamination scandal.

Switzerland extends sanctions against Myanmar — 26 September 2008, 22:53 CET

Switzerland's government said Friday it has decided to extend its sanctions against Myanmar to include a ban on wood imports, bringing its measures in line with the European Union.

China must help calm storm in finance world: Mandelson — 26 September 2008, 11:35 CET

European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Friday encouraged China to use its economic power to help calm the storm in the financial world.

EU plans crackdown on high-risk Chinese food products — 25 September 2008, 17:48 CET

The Commission has decided on safeguard measures in the face of the tainted Chinese milk scare, including plans to ban the most risky imports like biscuits and chocolate.

Japan's new foreign minister can help boost ties: EU — 25 September 2008, 12:31 CET

The EU external relations commissioner on Thursday congratulated Japan's new foreign minister Hirofumi Nakasone on his appointment, expressing confidence that together they could help strengthen ties.

US, other envoys meet to discuss Sri Lankan fighting — 24 September 2008, 22:00 CET

US, European Union, Japanese and Norwegian envoys met here Wednesday to discuss the latest fighting in Sri Lanka, including the need for both sides to protect civilians, a US diplomat said.

Euro-MPs back trade deal with India, voice religion concerns — 24 September 2008, 19:56 CET

The European Parliament on Wednesday called for the EU negotiate a free trade deal with India by the end of the year, though several voiced concerns over human rights abuses, in particular against Christians.

EU-China trade in facts and figures — 23 September 2008, 16:04 CET

China and the EU, two of the biggest markets in the world, have everything to gain by deepening their commercial ties. Since 1978, EU-China trade has increased more than 60-fold and reached around EUR 210 billion in 2005 (Eurostat).

Chinese dissident among EU Sakharov prize finalists — 23 September 2008, 13:27 CET

Chinese dissident Hu Jia, Belarus opposition leader Alexandr Kozulin and Congolese Abbot Apollinaire Malu Malu were shortlisted Tuesday for the EU parliament's prestigious Sakharov Prize.

EU food agency told to assess tainted Chinese milk risk — 22 September 2008, 23:39 CET

The European Commission on Monday asked the European Food Safety Authority to "urgently assess possible public health risks" of China's tainted milk scandal to consumers.

EU opposes Taiwan's bid to join international bodies — 21 September 2008, 00:14 CET

The European Union on Friday stressed its opposition to Taiwan's bid to join international organisations in its own right, two days after the United Nations rejected its 16th membership bid.

EU nations on guard against Chinese milk products — 19 September 2008, 13:32 CET

The European Commission has asked EU nations to be on the look out for any Chinese milk products entering the bloc, even though none is officially imported, amid a contaminated milk crisis in China.

EU, US pledge to step up product safety efforts with China — 19 September 2008, 11:36 CET

US and European consumer protection officials pledged Friday to step up product safety efforts in China, following a major scare over dairy products.

Energy dominates EU-Central Asia talks — 18 September 2008, 14:26 CET

The European Union wants to look at ways of tapping into Central Asia's vast energy reserves, an official said Thursday at the opening of a foreign ministers' meeting in Paris.

EU 'sees progress' by China on market economy status — 18 September 2008, 14:30 CET

China has made "considerable progress" on the road to winning coveted market economy status, the European Commission has concluded in an internal report obtained by AFP on Thursday.

EU representative endorses Philippine population bill — 17 September 2008, 17:51 CET

The local representative of the European Union (EU) in the Philippines on Wednesday endorsed a bill for population control that has been harshly opposed by the dominant Catholic church.

EU fraud office posts official in China — 16 September 2008, 18:21 CET

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has posted an officer in Beijing, a move prompted by the huge number of counterfeit cigarettes emanating from China.

European Union condemns Philippines violence — 16 September 2008, 12:24 CET

The European Union on Tuesday condemned the "indiscriminate" killing of civilians in the southern Philippines amid a surge in Muslim separatist violence, warning it could affect future aid.

Vietnam asks EU to end anti-dumping duties on leather shoes — 16 September 2008, 18:22 CET

Vietnam called on the European Union to end its anti-dumping duties on leather footwear, denouncing the "hard" impact it has on local companies and employment.

EU voices concern at escalating Sri Lanka violence — 15 September 2008, 22:43 CET

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel on Monday expressed "grave concern" at the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka and called for human rights laws to be respected.

Foreign firms watch Coca-Cola China deal: EU business — 09 September 2008, 15:59 CET

Foreign firms are keeping a close watch on Coca-Cola's bid for Chinese juice producer Huiyuan, as suspicions about economic nationalism are on the rise, says a European business group.