EU-ASEAN

The European Union was planning on a bilateral trade agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for many years. On 4 May 2007, the two sides agreed to start negotiations.

The EU-ASEAN FTA is supposed to be a comprehensive agreement. While ASEAN states are hoping to gain additional market access in the EU, the agreement is expected to have a much bigger impact in strengthening business opportunities for European TNCs in the region.

The talks have moved slowly and it’s not clear if the final deal will take the form of separate agreements between the EU and individual ASEAN members, something the EU seems to prefer. This would allow European governments to avoid taking on any commitments that support the regime in Burma but also to deal with the economic heterogeneity among ASEAN members.

EU procedures require that all ASEAN countries sign a Partnership Cooperation Agreement, containing a commitment to human rights, as a prerequisite to an FTA. Indonesia has already concluded its PCA with the EU, Singapore and Thailand are in advanced stages of negotiations, and Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei are soon to begin. The Philippine government stated early on that it expects problems in negotiating a PCA, as the agreement apparently requires that the signatory state join the International Criminal Court.

Click here for the European Commission’s page on the EU-Indonesia FTA

last update: May 2012
photo: People’s Health Movement


La Tribune | 19-Mar-2024
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Inquirer.net | 19-Mar-2024
The European Union and the Philippines announced the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement, with Brussels saying the first round of talks should begin “later this year”.
Notimérica | 19-Mar-2024
La Unión Europea y Filipinas han retomado formalmente las negociaciones para un acuerdo de libre comercio que afiance las relaciones con un socio "clave" para los europeos en la región del Indo-Pacífico.
The Edge Malaysia | 18-Mar-2024
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Inquirer Net | 18-Mar-2024
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The Diplomat | 14-Mar-2024
Thailand expects to complete its negotiations over a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union by the end of next year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said during a state visit to France.