Asia and the EU

Latest news about Asia and the European Union

Asia and the EU

Pakistan textiles lifted by WTO trade waiver — 12 February 2012, 13:39 CET

It makes a change, but Pakistani textiles boss Asghar Hussain is pleased. A year ago, recession, power cuts and poor security forced him to sack most of his workers.

EU confident Greece will agree to cuts for bailout — 10 February 2012, 15:17 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Friday he was confident that Greece would enact "painful" and "extremely difficult" reforms to qualify for a new bailout package.

EU pressures India over Iran nuclear programme — 10 February 2012, 15:16 CET

The EU on Friday pushed India to use its influence to get Iran to resume talks over its disputed nuclear drive, a day after New Delhi said it wanted to boost trade with the Islamic republic.

EU - India Summit factsheet — 09 February 2012, 23:14 CET

The 12th EU-India Summit takes place on 10 February 2012 in New Delhi. The EU will be represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will also be present. India will be represented by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Iran, free trade pact top EU-India summit agenda — 09 February 2012, 23:13 CET

The European Union looks set to push India at a summit Friday to use its commercial and diplomatic influence to try to bring Iran back to the negotiating table over its disputed nuclear programme.

EU aid official to visit Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 14:42 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros in aid.

First EU official off to Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 09:19 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros to the country.

Airline industry split widens over EU carbon 'tax' row — 07 February 2012, 23:49 CET

A split widened within the aviation industry Tuesday over EU charges for carbon emissions, as Europe's low-cost carriers accused Chinese and US rivals of "gunboat" diplomacy against the system.

Chinese village exports cheap labour abroad — 07 February 2012, 12:22 CET

Xie Guolu proudly shows off the two-storey home he is having built in the small Chinese village of Lujiazhuang, paid for by money his son earns thousands of kilometres away in Algeria.

Dutch plant 'for 1 euro' if jobs kept: Mitsubishi — 07 February 2012, 12:23 CET

Japan's Mitsubishi Motors is willing to sell its Netherlands factory "for one euro" if the buyer is prepared to keep employing the 1,500 workers there, the company president has said.

US bows to EU, Japan in 'zeroing' trade row — 06 February 2012, 21:16 CET

The United States on Monday said it has bowed to demands from the European Union and Japan to end its controversial "zeroing" anti-dumping practice.

Europe crisis could halve China's growth: IMF — 06 February 2012, 16:57 CET

An escalation of Europe's debt crisis could slash China's economic growth in half this year, the International Monetary Fund said Monday, urging Beijing to prepare stimulus measures in response.

Europe crisis could halve China's growth: IMF — 06 February 2012, 16:43 CET

An escalation of Europe's debt crisis could slash China's economic growth in half this year, the International Monetary Fund said Monday, urging Beijing to prepare stimulus measures in response.

EU 'not backing down' on airline emissions in Chinese row — 07 February 2012, 12:29 CET

The European Commission said Monday it will stand by a new law that imposes charges on airline carbon emissions after China banned its carriers from paying for such permits.

EU says China may become its biggest market in 2012 — 06 February 2012, 11:19 CET

The EU ambassador to China said Monday the Asian powerhouse could become Europe's biggest export market this year, overtaking the United States, as Beijing boosts domestic demand.

China bans airlines from paying EU carbon charges — 06 February 2012, 16:43 CET

China said Monday it has banned its airlines from complying with an EU scheme to impose charges on carbon emissions opposed by more than two dozen countries including India, Russia and the United States.

China snubs debt in European spending spree — 05 February 2012, 11:34 CET

Chinese companies and funds have ramped up investment in crisis-hit Europe, buying utilities, energy firms and even luxury yacht makers, but are steering clear of eurozone debt.

Crisis could push Europe to 'early grave': Australia — 04 February 2012, 22:40 CET

Australia's foreign minister launched a fierce broadside at Europe Saturday, saying the financial crisis has caused it to turn in on itself and warning it risked an "early grave" amid Asia's rise.

India, Russia, US, China plan anti-carbon tax talks — 04 February 2012, 12:41 CET

India, Russia, the United States, China and other countries will meet in Moscow this month to decide whether to retaliate against the EU's decision to impose a carbon tax on air travel, a report says.

EU climate chief sees 'unpleasant' talks ahead — 03 February 2012, 12:27 CET

EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard acknowledged Friday that "difficult and unpleasant" negotiations lay ahead with countries like India and China to agree a global framework to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

Germany's Merkel says euro made Europe stronger — 02 February 2012, 10:42 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that the euro had "made Europe stronger", as she began a visit to China aimed in part at reassuring Beijing that the eurozone debt crisis is under control.

WTO approves two-year trade waiver for Pakistan — 01 February 2012, 23:54 CET

The World Trade Organization has approved a waiver allowing 75 Pakistani products duty free access to European markets for two years to help textile exports after devastating floods in 2010.

WTO Case on export restrictions of raw materials in China - guide — 31 January 2012, 23:19 CET

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 30 January confirmed the findings made by a Panel in July 2011 that China's export restrictions on several industrial raw materials are in breach of WTO rules. The WTO found that China's export restrictions are not justified for reasons of environmental protection or conservation policy. Today's final ruling was welcomed by Europe's trade chief.

Euro crisis to top agenda of Merkel's visit to China — 31 January 2012, 16:22 CET

The eurozone debt crisis, Iran and Syria will be among the topics up for discussion when German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a two-day trip to China this week, government sources said Tuesday.

EU opens antitrust probe against Samsung — 31 January 2012, 23:03 CET

European regulators have opened an antitrust probe against Samsung Electronics to determine whether the South Korean group has distorted competition in European mobile device markets.