Asean
EU Eases Sanctions Against Certain Burmese Government Members
The European Union has eased economic and political sanctions against certain civilian members of the new Burmese government. The Council of the European Union, meeting Tuesday in Luxembourg, says it hopes a greater “civilian character of the government” will lead to “much needed new policies.” The EU will lift visa bans for one year on certain civilian members of the government, including the foreign minister. It also says a ban on high level visits to Burma would be lifted, anticipating access to senior levels of the government and key opposition figures. The EU says it would assess the new government by its deeds and review the sanctions accordingly. The EU move was spawned in part by a report last month from the International Crisis Group, which said sanctions imposed on Burma’s government, and renewed every year, have not worked. The report said those sanctions have had a “negative impact” on the population they were designed to protect. The party of Nobel prize winning opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent much of the past decade under house arrest in Rangoon, has offered lukewarm support for easing sanctions against the Burmese government. Her National League for Democracy has said such action should only come party after the Burmese starts releasing some 2,200 opposition figures and their supporters currently languishing in Burmese prisons.
The European Union has eased economic and political sanctions against certain civilian members of the new Burmese government.
The Council of the European Union, meeting Tuesday in Luxembourg, says it hopes a greater “civilian character of the government” will lead to “much needed new policies.”
The EU will lift visa bans for one year on certain civilian members of the government, including the foreign minister. It also says a ban on high level visits to Burma would be lifted, anticipating access to senior levels of the government and key opposition figures. The EU says it would assess the new government by its deeds and review the sanctions accordingly.
The EU move was spawned in part by a report last month from the International Crisis Group, which said sanctions imposed on Burma’s government, and renewed every year, have not worked.
The report said those sanctions have had a “negative impact” on the population they were designed to protect.
The party of Nobel prize winning opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent much of the past decade under house arrest in Rangoon, has offered lukewarm support for easing sanctions against the Burmese government.
Her National League for Democracy has said such action should only come party after the Burmese starts releasing some 2,200 opposition figures and their supporters currently languishing in Burmese prisons.
Read more from the original source:
EU Eases Sanctions Against Certain Burmese Government Members
Asean
Deadly Floods and Landslides Strike Indonesia and Thailand – Vietnam Plus
At least seven people were killed, two others were injured and some were likely to be missing after flash floods and landslides hit the Indonesian eastern province of Maluku on the morning of August 25, according to the locality’s disaster management and mitigation office.
Heavy rainfall, which began on August 24, has triggered the disasters in Ternate city. Many local residents are in urgent need of support, authorities said.
Soldiers, police, local search and rescue personnel, disaster management staff, and volunteers are all involved in the ongoing rescue efforts, which include evacuating those trapped by the landslides and recovering materials from homes swept away by the floods.
Meanwhile in Thailand, local authorities reported that the death toll from a landslide in the popular resort province of Phuket on August 23 has risen to 13, including a Russian couple.
Source : Floods, landslides kill many in Indonesia, Thailand – Vietnam Plus
Asean
Tug of War in Southeast Asia: Can ASEAN-China Dialogue Shift the Scales Toward Peace? – An Analysis
The ASEAN-China dialogue is vital for regional stability, addressing economic cooperation and security challenges, particularly in the South China Sea, amidst significant geopolitical complexities and ongoing territorial disputes.
ASEAN-China Dialogue: A Path Towards Cooperation
The ASEAN-China dialogue plays a pivotal role in Southeast Asia’s diplomacy, fostering economic collaboration while addressing security challenges. Despite advances, particularly in managing tensions in the South China Sea, significant barriers remain to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. ASEAN’s capacity to maintain its unity and centrality is crucial amidst complex power dynamics involving China and other global players.
Navigating Tensions and Economic Relations
A pressing concern within this dialogue is the South China Sea territorial disputes, which involve multiple ASEAN states and China. The militarization of the area raises alarm among regional stakeholders, necessitating urgent negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) to manage conflicts. Additionally, the growing economic interdependence fostered by initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) strengthens ASEAN-China ties, yet it also raises concerns about potential political leverage influencing member states’ autonomy.
The Challenge of Regional Stability
While the ASEAN-China dialogue offers a framework for promoting peace, its effectiveness is conditioned by broader geopolitical contexts, including China’s rivalry with the United States. The success of this dialogue rests on sustaining a commitment to multilateralism and peaceful dispute resolution. As ASEAN adapts to these complex dynamics, it must reinforce its unity and cooperative strategies, ensuring the region’s stability amid evolving challenges.
Source : Tug Of War In Southeast Asia: Will ASEAN-China Dialogue Tip The Balance Towards Peace? – Analysis
Asean
Cambodia Invites Business Leaders to Join the 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning
Cambodia invites businesspeople to the 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, promoting trade and investment with incentives like hotel coupons and networking opportunities in various sectors.
Cambodia Invites Participation in CAEXPO 2024
Cambodia is actively encouraging business leaders, investors, and service providers to participate in the upcoming 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), set to take place from September 24-28 in Nanning, China. According to a Ministry of Commerce announcement, CAEXPO serves as a vital platform for trade and investment collaborations between ASEAN nations and China.
To facilitate Cambodian participation, the Ministry invites interested individuals to apply as Trade Visitors by August 31, 2024. Participants will benefit from hotel coupons, dining vouchers, and shuttle services to the expo venue. Furthermore, attendees can engage in business matchmaking in sectors such as food processing, digital technology, and renewable energy products.
Kin Phea, from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, emphasized the advancements in China-ASEAN relations, particularly concerning economic cooperation, tourism, and cultural exchanges. He noted that both sides have become each other’s largest trading partners, enhancing collaboration through the Belt and Road initiative, focusing on infrastructure and sustainable development.
Source : Cambodia encourages businesspeople to partake in 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning