European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Asia and Pacific
2019 Sakharov Prize laureate: Ilham Tohti
Space for freedom of thought is shrinking dramatically across the globe, as the geo-political and geo-economic clout of authoritarian regimes expands. Continue reading
Towards a new EU policy approach to China: 21st EU-China Summit – April 2019
With the European Parliament elections set for May 2019, the 21st EU-China Summit has been advanced, to be held in Brussels on 9 April 2019, only nine months after the previous one. Continue reading
The EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) – A framework to promote shared values [International Agreements in Progress]
The SPA represents a framework strengthening the overall partnership, by promoting political and sectoral cooperation and joint actions in more than 40 areas of common interest. Continue reading
EU-Singapore trade and investment deals pass major milestone [International Agreements in Progress]
Following the signature of the EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements on 19 October 2018, the European Parliament gave its consent on 13 February 2019 to conclude both agreements. Continue reading
Le futur partenariat de l’UE avec les pays d’Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (« post-Cotonou ») [International Agreements in Progress]
L’accord de partenariat entre l’Union européenne et les pays d’Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (ACP) expire en 2020. Le principal défi pour l’Union européenne est de maintenir ses relations dans la région, tout en restant fidèle aux valeurs promues dans les Traités européens. Continue reading
South Korea’s presidential election: Potential for a new EU role in the Korean Peninsula
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio, South Korea has been shaken by a succession of corruption scandals involving politicians, judges, senior officials, businessmen and even academics. Impeachment of the country’s first female president, the conservative Park Guen-hye, was confirmed by the Constitutional Court, and snap Presidential elections take place on 9 May 2017. Moon Jae-in, a liberal politician and a leading … Continue reading
Driving trade in the ASEAN region Progress of FTA negotiations
Written by Krisztina Binder, After negotiations between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a regional free trade agreement (FTA) were suspended in 2009, the EU decided to pursue bilateral trade agreements with the individual ASEAN member states. To date, six of them have started talks on a bilateral FTA with … Continue reading
Japan’s Prime Minister wins his electoral bid
Written by Lorenzo Costantini Prime Minister Shinzō Abe dissolved the lower house and called an early election in December 2014. The contest was also regarded as a referendum on his growth strategy, widely known as ‘Abenomics’. Taking advantage of opposition parties’ weakness and inability to conduct a successful campaign at such short notice, and with … Continue reading
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Written by Martin Russell The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) has long been one of the developing world’s most active regional organisations. Set up in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, it has — like the EU —helped to bring stability to a formerly turbulent region. Successive enlargements have added Brunei, … Continue reading
The situation of minorities in Iraq
Written by Eric Pichon, Iraqi minorities (Turkmens, Yazidis, Christians and other smaller communities) have long been discriminated against in Iraq. Violence against them has increased dramatically in areas of Iraqi territory that have fallen under the control of the Islamist terrorist group that has declared itself ‘the Islamic State’ (known variously as IS, ISIS or … Continue reading
Nepal’s political parties and the difficult road towards a new Constitution
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. A 10-year guerrilla conflict ended in 2006 and led to the country’s transition from monarchy to republic. However, the political parties have so far been unable to reach a compromise on a new constitution, or to provide the political stability that … Continue reading
Bhutan and its political parties
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio Bhutan, a long-isolated South Asian monarchy, is mostly known internationally for the concept of ‘gross national happiness’. Since 2008 it has been undergoing a king-driven transition to democracy. From absolute to constitutional monarchy Bhutan, a small kingdom located between India and China in the Himalayan mountains, with an estimated population of … Continue reading
China: Assimilating or radicalising Uighurs?
Written by Gisela Grieger The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR), a restive province in China’s western periphery, is populated in almost equal proportions by Turkic-speaking Uighurs and Mandarin-speaking Han Chinese. The Uighurs, who are predominantly Muslim, call the region East Turkestan. Since October 2013, when China witnessed its first terrorist suicide car attack on Beijing’s … Continue reading
The situation of Kurds in Kobane
3 language versions available in pdf: The situation of Kurds in Kobane Die Lage der Kurden in Kobane La situation des Kurdes à Kobané Commenting on the fighting against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, citizens called on the EU to help the civilians and threatened minorities. In particular, they were concerned about the … Continue reading
Indonesia: human rights situation
Written by Jacques Lecarte Indonesia has the potential to become a model emerging democracy that respects human rights nationally and supports universal human rights standards across the world. Achieving this will require newly elected President Joko Widodo to take a firm stand to protect the human rights of Indonesia’s marginalised groups – including religious minorities, … Continue reading
Pakistan: human rights situation
Written by Jacques Lecarte Human rights abuse is one of the most complex and challenging issues in Pakistan today. The EU has expressed concerns about the human rights situation and monitors events closely. The European Parliament is worried about the sharp increase in sectarian violence and religious intolerance, as well as the continuing repression of … Continue reading
India: the biggest democracy in the world
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio With 1 267 million inhabitants, of which 834 million can vote, India is the largest democracy in the world. Despite India’s linguistic and religious diversity, the 2014 general elections have given the newly elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, a strong mandate. Since coming into office, Modi has reinforced his focus on the … Continue reading
Hong Kong: one country, two systems?
Written by Gisela Grieger The on-going heated debate about the introduction of universal suffrage for the election of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive has turned into widespread protests on the territory’s streets. Hopes that the public would be able to nominate candidates were dashed by China’s decision to allow only committee-based nomination of candidates in the … Continue reading
Azerbaijan: Human rights situation
Written by Jacques Lecarte Azerbaijan is considered by many international NGOs to be an authoritarian country in which civil and political rights are severely restricted and frequently violated. The EU may soon be ready to agree on a Strategic Modernisation Partnership with Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, the Council and the EP have stressed deep concerns about the … Continue reading
Workers’ conditions in the textile and clothing sector: just an Asian affair? Issues at stake after the Rana Plaza tragedy
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio More than 70% of EU imports of textile and clothing come from Asia. Many Asian workers have to work in sweatshop conditions, but the issue appears in global media only when major fatal accidents occur, like that at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, in 2013. Long working hours, low wages, lack of regular contracts, … Continue reading
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