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Luncheon Briefings
Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties. Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Lucheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS. EurAsia Bulletin
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China's Foreign Policy
China's Foreign Policy: Challenges and Opportunities
14 November, 2007 from 12:30 to 14:30 hrs. EIAS, Brussels Online registration available Speaker: Dr. Yuqun Shao Japan's New Diplomatic Horizon?
Japan's New Diplomatic
Horizon? "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" and
Implications for Japan-EU Security Relations
Wednesday, 23rd May, 2007 from 12h30 – 14h30, EIAS Speaker: Professor Ken Jimbo, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) in association with the mission of Japan to the EU is honoured to welcome Ass’t Professor Ken Jimbo of Keio University (who is also a Senior Fellow at the Keio Research Institute and a Visiting Lecturer on East Asian Security at the National Defence Academy) to its premises for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the Japan-EU relationship. The election of Shinzo Abe as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and subsequently as Prime Minister, in September 2006, altered the political and diplomatic landscape of Japan both regionally and internationally. Japan and the Korean Peninsula
Recent Developments on the Korean Peninsula:
A Japanese
Perspective 31 January 2007, EIAS, Brussels Speaker: H.E. Mr. Takekazu Kawamura, Ambassador of Japan
to the European Union The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome H.E. Mr. Takekazu Kawamura, Ambassador of Japan to the European Union, to its premises for a discussion on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. What are the challenges and opportunities for Japan in ensuring the discontinuation of the DPRK’s nuclear testing and ballistic missile launchings as well as the abandonment of its nuclear and missile programmes? What does the future hold for the Six-Party talks, and should they fail, what alternatives does the Japanese government see for guaranteeing stability and security in East Asia? China Dutch Trade
China
and the Dutch Economy
19 December, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Venue: European Institute for Asian Studies Speakers: Dr. Wim Suyker, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic
Policy Analysis The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Dr. Wim Suyker of the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis and Dr. Henri de Groot of the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam to its premises for a discussion of their recent CPB report entitled “China and the Dutch Economy: Stylised Facts and Prospects”. India: CSR
The Challenge of Corporate Social Responsibility
in India
29 November, 2006 EIAS, Brussels from 12h30 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr C.S. Venkata Ratnam, Director, International
Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi This March, the European Commission published a new communication on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the aim of making Europe a pole of excellence on CSR. In the context of our globalising world, faced with ever-increasing societal challenges such as how to achieve sustainable development, economic growth and social stability, engaging the corporate community outside the EU is of increasing importance. How can Europe work together with external partners to promote better corporate responsibility worldwide? Mongolia: 800 years
Mongolia: From Chinggis Khaan To ASEM
23 November, 2006, EIAS, Brussels On The Occasion Of The 800th Anniversary Of The Foundation Of The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), in collaboration with the European Commission and the Mission of Mongolia to the European Union, is honoured to welcome a distinguished panel of speakers to its premises for a discussion and analysis of contemporary EU-Mongolia relations. Against the background of this year’s 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood and the role that Chinggis Khaan has played in the Asia-Europe relationship, the Luncheon Briefing will focus on Mongolia’s external relations. The presentations of the seven panelists will, in particular, discuss Mongolia’s ongoing integration into the East Asian region and Mongolia’s new role as a participant in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process. Mongolian Cultural Evening Taiwanese Economy
The Taiwanese Economy and Cross-Strait Business
15 November, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speakers: Mr Guy Wittich, Chief Executive Officer, European Chamber of Commerce
Taipei The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr Guy Wittich and Mr Ralf Scheller of the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ECCT) to its premises for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the Taiwanese economy and cross-Strait business. How will future political developments in Taiwan, both internally and vis-à-vis China, impact the status of the economy? To what extent will this effect European Business in greater China and the East Asian region? Taiwan China Relations
Outlook
and Perspectives for Taiwan
26 October, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 - updated with audio interview and photos Speakers: Prof. June Teufel-Dreyer, Professor of Political
Science at the University of Miami The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Prof. June Teufel-Dreyer and Dr. Gary J. Schmitt to its premises to engage EU officials and analysts in a debate on the EU’s 'One China Policy', in the broader context of China’s political and economic development and its increasing economic and military capabilities. Under what circumstances would EU Member States re-assess their policy-approaches towards Taiwan? The speakers are renowned scholars who have publicly expressed their intellectual support for Taiwan and the importance of ensuring the present ‘status quo’. East Timor - Recent Political Developments
East
Timor – Recent Political Developments
Tuesday, 3 October, 2006 from 12h00 – 13h30 Speaker: Mr Harold Moucho, Political Advisor to the President
of the National Parliament, Timor-Leste After gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002, East Timor is still faces major obstacles to development and the task of bringing about reconciliation amidst brewing unrest. Having successfully wound up its Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) in 2005, the UN Security Council was prompted to set up a new non-military peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT), in 2006 after violence re-erupted in late April. Clashes involving over a third of the armed forces, who were sacked earlier this year, led over 150,000 people to take refuge in makeshift camps. Prime Minister Alkatiri’s poor handling of the situation eventually forced his resignation and José Ramos-Horta, peace activist and Nobel laureate, was named Prime Minister in July. EU - India: Pluralism and Diversity
EU – India: Pluralism
and Diversity
19 September, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad Chief Minister of the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister of the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir to its premises to speak on the implications of the pluralism and diversity that characterises India as well as the EU. Global Terrorism and Security
Global Terrorism and Security
Monday, 11 September, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 EIAS, Brussels Speaker: Mr. Sachin Pilot, Member of Parliament, Congress Party, India Chair: Mr Malcolm Subhan, Vice-Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr
Sachin Pilot to its premises to speak on global terrorism and security on the
fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mr Pilot recently travelled
with an Indian parliamentary delegation to the U.S., where he had the opportunity
to discuss inter alia with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy National
Security Adviser J.D. Crouch, the Council on Foreign Relations, the US India
Business Council, the National Endowment ASEM and Trade Unions
Trade
Unions – The Missing Link in the
ASEM Structure?
31 August, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Mr Guy Ryder, Secretary General, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) Chair: Mr Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, European Institute for Asian Studies This September, Asian and European leaders will gather for the 6th ASEM Summit in Helsinki. Amongst the many topical issues for discussion, leaders will try to address questions relating to the Doha Development Agenda, globalisation, competitiveness and structural changes in the global economy. Is there a role for the ICFTU and other civil society actors in an Asia-Europe
dialogue on development, employment and labour issues? North Korea - Six Party Talks
Under the Surface of the Six-Party Talks: Findings from Government
Interviews
20 June, 2006 from 13h00 - 14h30 Speaker: Dr John S. Park, Project Leader, North Korea Analysis Group, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Chair: Dr Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies The North Korean nuclear crisis is a dominant factor in the insecurity perceptions held about Northeast Asia. Although the Six-Party Talks have served as a valuable mechanism for addressing critical issues, no substantial resolution has been found as yet. The parties to the talks all bring differing perspectives, objectives, priorities and approaches to the negotiating table, hindering any substantial breakthroughs or progress. Why? In order to gain a deeper understanding and perspective, diplomatic efforts to broker a solution need to be seen in the context of what goes on behind the scenes. The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Dr John S. Park to speak at its premises. Drawing on research interviews with Chinese, US, South Korean, North Korean, Japanese and Russian government policy advisers, working on their respective country's approach to a resolution, his presentation will provide insights into what has been occurring under the surface of the Six-Party Talks process. Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka
Conflict Resolution
in Sri Lanka: Forging a Multiparty Stakeholder Dialogue on Peace Building
Thursday, 1 June, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Mr. Janaka Ranatunga, Deputy Director,
One-Text Initiative, Sri Lanka The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Mr. Janaka Ranatunga to its premises to discuss the situation in Sri Lanka and examine the status of peace building efforts. What opportunities and challenges exist for stakeholders wanting to forge a dialogue for peace? Can different narratives and positions be brought together to create a common approach to the Peace Process? Mr Ranatunga is Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka One-Text Initiative, a systematic process supporting Sri Lankan peace building by eliciting the underlying interests and needs of multiple parties and people, providing the space (physically and virtually) to jointly explore and develop options. The stakeholders of One Text are representatives from almost all political parties including the government party and the militant group, who are the main protagonists of the conflict, in addition to civil society organizations. All operational, content and policy matters of this Initiative are determined by the participating political parties, organizations and various citizens’ groups. One Text Initiative is the only multi party stakeholder dialogue on peace building at track two level in Sri Lanka. Local Democracy in India and China
Local Democracy
in India and China: Opportunities and Challenges
10 May, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr George Mathew, Director, Institute of
Social Sciences (ISS), Delhi The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome Dr George Mathew to its premises to examine the development of local democracy in India and China. What opportunities and challenges exist for these two Asian giants as they strive to promote domestic development and reform? Can any comparisons be drawn or lessons gained from individual experiences? The Institute of Social Sciences is India’s leading research centre on panchayati raj, India’s system of elected local councils, and the impact this has on India’s social development, especially in rural areas. Its findings and recommendations are made available to members of decision-making organisations, such as government bodies, trade unions, people's organisations, corporate bodies and scientific communities, to encourage them to enlarge the options for action. China Policy Competencies in New EU Member States
China
Policy Competencies in New EU Member States
Thursday, 4 May, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: H.E. Mr. Ksawery Burski, Former Ambassador,
Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Beijing The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) is honoured to welcome H.E. Ambassador Ksawery Burski to its premises to examine China policy competencies in new EU Member States. To what extent are their policies and strategies convergent with those of the EU-15? Will their links with China and Russia contribute new dimensions to the EU’s partnership with China? Chinese Foreign Policy
China’s
Foreign Policy: An Exchange of Views
26 April, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr Ruan Zongze, Vice President, China
Institute of International Studies, Beijing As China continues its steady march towards economic development and prosperity, its role and responsibility as an influential player on the international stage has increased. Globalisation, growing interdependence, regional integration and new global challenges amongst others all affect China’s outward orientation and the formulation of its foreign policy. The manner in which China chooses to pursue its external relations will have major economic, political and security implications for the world, generating both opportunities and challenges. Yet what are the underlying strategic interests and objectives behind said policy? The European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with the European Policy Centre, is honoured to welcome Dr Ruan Zongze to its premises for an exchange of views on the current status of Chinese foreign policy – the evolution, the rationale, the implications and consequences thereof. China and Japan
China’s
Japan problem: Are We Headed for Confrontation?
Thursday, 20 April, 2006 from 13h00 – 14h30 Speaker: Dr Yang Jian, Senior Research Associate,
Asian Century Institute, London You can register for this briefing at the bottom of this page The emergence of a new strategic balance in Asia as a result of China's
rise looks set to create new pressures on Sino-Japanese relations.
Many Chinese analysts are pessimistic about relations in the medium
term, having discarded their hope that the bilateral relationship
would improve once the 'Yasukuni-obsessed prime minister' leaves office
in late 2006. With the possibility that an even more overtly nationalist
prime minister will succeed Koizumi, some in China expect a decade
of frequent frictions between the two countries. Japanese Trade Policy
Japanese
Trade Policy: Towards Economic Partnership?
5 April, 2006, EIAS Brussels Speaker: Prof. Yorizumi Watanabe, Professor of International
Political Economy, Keio University, Japan East Asia is emerging as a dynamic regional entity – with economic integration producing high profitability and growth rates, the region is beginning to explore deepening ties within the framework of bi-lateral and multi-lateral FTAs. As an economic powerhouse and a key player in the region, Japan has a vested interested in shaping the future structure of the East Asian economy through a proactive trade policy that engages its regional counterparts. Yet, what are the opportunities and challenges for increased trade cooperation in the region? Will growing convergence in the economic sphere lead to increased dialogue? Or will increasing competition further exacerbate strategic rivalries? Cartoons and Freedoms
Cartoons and
Freedoms - the perspective of an Indonesian Editor As the violent protests sparked by the publication of caricatures depicting the prophet Muhammad begin to die down, a more fundamental debate about the role and responsibility of the press in promoting free speech wages on. The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Mr Endy Bayuni to speak at its premises. As Chief Editor of the Jakarta Post and an advocate of press freedom and the free flow of information, Mr Bayuni recently lamented the rationale of those sections of the press who chose to publish and reprint cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. What will the long term, wider implications of this controversy be for democratising countries already struggling to define the role of the media and the right to freedom of speech? The Future Of Japan - Europe Relations
The
Future of Japan-Europe Relations and their impact on the Security Environment
in East Asia
12 January, 2005, EIAS, Brussels from 15h00 – 16h20 Speaker: Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, Japan The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to its premises for a Briefing on the aforementioned issues. Prof. Yamanaka has a wealth of experience in both the political and academic field, enabling her to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific and their implications for Europe. She is a member of the House of Representatives and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Her work and research has been prominent in the field of international relations, mainly focusing on political and security areas, as professor at Hokkai University, senior adviser at the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), visiting researcher and visiting professor at the Brookings Institution and the Royal Institute of International Affairs. As a member of the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace, she plays an important role in Japan’s policy formulation in international peace cooperation. The Outcomes of the 13th SAARC Summit
The
Outcomes of the 13th SAARC Summit: Integration and Enlargement
8 December, 2005, EIAS, Brussels Speaker: H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the European Union Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, EIAS, Brussels The 13th SAARC Summit, held in Dhaka on November 11-13, was of crucial importance with regards to the development of regional and global integration in South Asia. Amongst the outcomes was an agreement for Afghanistan to become a member with effect of the next summit meeting, an agreement that both China and Japan will be granted observer status to the SAARC, firm commitment to the realisation of a South Asian economic union and SAFTA, and an agreement of India to invest $100 million in the South Asia Development Fund. Furthermore, the very excellent political atmosphere in which the summit took place was noted. 2005 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka
The 2005 Presidential
Elections in Sri Lanka – The Observer’s Assessment On 17 November, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) won Sri Lanka's closely fought presidential election. In the run-up to the election, reports of misuse of public resources for campaigning, biased coverage by the state media and even a Supreme Court interim order discriminating against voters from LTTE areas threatened to de-legitimise the election process. On the day of the election, violence in the North and East of the country obstructed balanced participation whilst an enforced boycott by the LTTE further hindered voter turnout. Aceh Peace Process
The EU’s Role
in the Aceh Peace Process Monitoring On August 15 2005 in Helsinki, the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding opening the way for a resolution of more than thirty years of conflict. In order to impartially implement the peace agreement, the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) was established comprising the EU and five ASEAN countries. Officially launched on 15 September, the AMM presence is based on an official invitation from the Indonesian government and the support of GAM leadership. Two months into the process, considerable progress has been made but challenges remain. The European Union’s Strategic Interests
in East Asia
The European Union’s
Strategic Interests in East Asia The relationship between the EU and East Asia has evolved in the past decade with both continents undergoing major economic, political and social changes. With China leading the region’s fast economic growth and with political collaboration within the region intensifying, East Asian cooperation has major economic, political and security implications for the world, generating both opportunities and challenges for the EU. The European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with its
consortium partner Nomisma, has recently completed a comprehensive
review for the EU entitled “The European Union’s Strategic
Interests in East Asia”. The study was commissioned by the EU
Commission as a guide to reassessing Europe's strategic interests
in East Asia by providing information on the region’s likely
development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms,
with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation - in particular
China’s role. Analyse the current factual situation in the region, and in particular
China, including relations with major global powers like the USA,
Russia, India and the EU; Chinese Economic Development
Chinese
Economic Development and its Global Impact
7 November, 2005 from 12:30– 14:00, EIAS, Brussels Speaker: Mr. Liu Xu, Director, Department of International Trade, Institute for International Economic Research, The National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China Chair: Dr Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels The unprecedented economic growth of the People’s Republic of China is changing how the country views itself and how East Asia and the rest of the world view China. Offering labour and markets, China is rapidly becoming the workshop of the world. Its approach to slowly liberalising trade and services, coupled with its recent accession into the WTO, may indicate a new path for developing countries. Focus on Cambodia
Opportunities
and Challenges of Mekong Sub-Regional Integration: Focus on Cambodia
and Lao PDR
6 October, 2005, EIAS, Brussels Speaker: Mr. Ian C. Porter, Country Director, South East Asia, East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank Chair: Dr Sebastian Bersick, Research Fellow, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels The countries of the Mekong Sub-Region within the East Asian Region have witnessed strong recent growth performances - but significant diversities remain. Social indicators vary among the countries and in some instances growth has not yielded commensurate social improvements. Poverty reduction has also been uneven. From Bullets to Ballots
From
Bullets to Ballots & Beyond: Building Post-Conflict Democracies
in Asia & Europe
21 April 2005, EIAS, Brussels Speaker: Mr. Plamen Tonchev, Head of Asia Unit Institute of International Economic Relations (IIER), Athens Chair: Dr Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels There are a great number of challenges to overcome when the time comes for democracy building in a post-conflict environment. While restoring democratic institutions in a country that has suffered from a conflict is a prerequisite, many more steps are needed on the road to full recovery: ballots alone do not necessarily lead away from bullets. The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome you to a briefing by Mr. Tonchev who, through the analysis of four case studies - Cambodia, East Timor, Bosnia and Cyprus - will present the intricacies of democracy building in countries that have suffered through years of conflict. Taiwan and the World Health Organization
Taiwan and
the World Health Organization - Promoting Global Public Health
7 April 2005, Maelbeek Room, Residence Palace, Brussels Speaker: Dr. Hou Sheng-mou, Minister of Public Health, Republic of
China (Taiwan) The Taipei Representative Office in Belgium and the European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels are very pleased to invite you to a Special Briefing on Taiwan’s bid to contribute to the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer. This request for observer status was launched eight years ago but has to date not yet received a positive response. Human Rights in Aceh
Indonesia - Human
Rights in Aceh in the Post-Tsunami context The province of Aceh, in the north-western tip of Indonesia, has been the scene of a decades-long separatist struggle between the Free-Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian armed forces. In addition to claiming thousand of lives the conflict has been the source of grave human rights violations. An Acehnese lawyer, Hendra Budian has been working on human rights issues in the troubled province for several years. In addition to being Vice-Director of the Banda Aceh Legal Aid Institute, he is also Programme Director of Aceh's Judicial Monitoring Institute, Co-ordinator of the Human Rights Documentation Unit in Aceh and an active member of the Acehnese Civil Society Task Force.
Democracy & Governance in Nepal
Democracy
& Governance in Nepal
2 February 2005, EIAS, Brussels Speakers: H.E. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador, Royal Embassy of Nepal Mr. Nicholas Grono, Director of Advocacy & Research, International Crisis Group Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary-General, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels On February 1st, King Gyanendra of Nepal caught his kingdom and the international community off guard by announcing the dismissal of the government and declaring a state of emergency whilst assuming direct control of the government. The King claims his actions, which include the detention of politicians, human rights workers and students, serve to defend Nepalese multiparty democracy. Denouncing the ex-government's inefficiency with regards to the Maoist insurgency that has plunged Nepal into a deepening crisis and cost the lives of thousands, King Gyanendra has pledged to bring back peace within three years. However, many observers warn that King Gyanendra's "royal coup" will undermine the Nepalese struggle with the Maoist insurgency, possibly leading to an escalation of violence. The international community has called for the restoration of democracy and civil rights as well as the release of all opposition leaders. The United States and several EU states have recalled their ambassadors to Nepal as a demonstration of their opposition to the King's actions. In order to shed light on these developments and discuss the steps ahead for the Nepalese Kingdom, the European Institute for Asian Studies has invited H.E. Ambassador Narayan S. Thapa of Nepal and Mr. Nicholas Grono, Director of Advocacy and Research at the International Crisis Group, to give a briefing on Democracy and Governance in Nepal. Letter of Invitation (pdf) International Criminal Justice in Asia
International Criminal Justice in Asia: From the Tokyo Trials
to the ICC
25 January 2005, EIAS, Brussels Dr. Bottigliero will focus on the potential role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Asia and discuss prospects and challenges for the better application of international standards in respect of criminal justice and redress for victims of serious human rights and humanitarian law violations in Asia. Luncheon Briefing - 16 November 2004
Relocating Productive Capacities to China?
or Elsewhere?
16 November 2004, EIAS, Brussels Prof Sylvain Plasschaert, Emeritus, University of Leuven, will speak on this subject Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 11 November 2004
The
Outcomes of the Fifth EU-India Summit
Thursday 11 November 2004, EIAS, Brussels Speakers: Mr. W. Mohr, Head of South Asia Desk, The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ambassador Abhyankar Rajendra, Embassy of the Republic of India to the EU Ms. Laurence Argimon-Pistre, Head of India Unit, European Commission Chair: Mr Malcolm Subhan, Vice-Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels On 8 November the fifth EU-India Summit will be held in The Hague. The Summit will offer an opportunity for the two major international players, who share a commitment to democracy and multilateralism, to review the state of their bilateral relationship and examine means to further strengthen their "Strategic Partnership. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 9 November 2004
The Outcomes of the Hanoi ASEM V Summit
Tuesday 9 November 2004 from 12:30 to 14:30 Speakers: Ambassador Mrs. Phan Thuy Thanh, Embassy of Vietnam, Brussels Ambassador Dato Deva Mohd Ridzam, Embassy of Malaysia, Brussels European Commission Representative: to be announced The Fifth ASEM Summit which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam on 7-9th October 2004, was a landmark in Asia-Europe relations as it celebrated the enlargement of ASEM to include 39 partners, including the 10 new members of the EU, and 3 new members on the Asian side: Cambodia, Laos and Burma/Myanmar. At the Summit, ASEM Leaders addressed international developments, global challenges and regional developments in Europe and Asia. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 21 October 2004
The Promotion of Human Rights in EU External
Relations
21 October 2004, EIAS, Brussels Dr Georg Wiessala, Reader in International Relations, University of Lancashire, will discuss this issue. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 14 October 2004
Asian Studies in the Czech Republic and other
new EU Member States
14 October 2004, EIAS, Brussels Prof PhDr. Jaroslav Vacek, CSc., Dean, Philosphical Fac, Former Vice-Rector for International Relations, Charles University, Prague. The enlargement of the European Union in May 2004 has brought to the fore the unique intellectual knowledge and competence which the Central and Eastern European Countries have built up across a wide range of fields. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 28 September, 2004
Rule Of Law in Bangladesh
28 September 2004, EIAS, Brussels A briefing, presented by Barrister Amirul Islam, Dhaka Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 25 June 2004
China's Privatisation
Programme
25 June, EIAS Stephen Green, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, discussed this important issue. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 28 May 2004
The Return of
Congress! - India’s 2004 Elections and Beyond
Friday, 28 May, EIAS, Brussels India, the world’s largest democracy, second-most populous state, fifth-largest economy and sixth declared nuclear weapons power has just returned a Congress government to power after five years of BJP rule. This stunning result has myriad implications for the domestic and international economy and security of India. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 28 April 2004
EU-China
Security Relations
Wednesday, 28 April 2004, EIAS, Brussels The EU Security Strategy paper, A Secure Europe in a Better World, proposes to develop a strategic partnership with China. Mr. Frank Umbach, Resident Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), will offer an assessment of how to put the envisioned EU-China strategic partnership into practice. He will give an overview of current EU-China security relations in the context of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, assess the possibilities and prospects of future trilateral EU-US-China security co-operation, and address the issue of the EU weapons embargo imposed on China in 1989. Acting as discussant will be Dr. Axel Berkofsky, EIAS Research Fellow. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 2 April 2004
The Korean Peninsula
Energy Development Organisation and North Korea
2 April 2004, EIAS, Brussels H.E. Charles Kartman has served since May 2001 as the Executive Director of KEDO, an international consortium established to manage a $4.6 billion energy project in the DPRK. Prior to that he was U.S. Special Envoy for the Korean Peace Talks and concurrently served as U.S. Representative to and Chairman of KEDO's Executive Board, until retiring from the Department of State in April 2001. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 18 March 2004
India's National
Security under the BJP/NDA Governments: "Strong at Home, Engaged Abroad"
18 March 2004, EIAS Brussels Dr Apurba Kundu, EIAS Senior Research Fellow, will examine the BJP’s initial strategic vision of a strong India, and show how this led to the country becoming an overt nuclear weapons state in 1998. However, argues Dr Kundu, the 1999 Kargil Conflict and the 2002 near-war situation with Pakistan caused the BJP-led NDA administration to reposition its national security strategy as one of “strong at home, engaged abroad”. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 12 March 2004
Kashmir: What prospects
for a lasting settlement?
EIAS Luncheon Briefing, 12 March 2004 The SAARC Summit in Islamabad in January and the promise of bilateral discussions between Pakistan and India in February have raised hopes for a peaceful solution in Kashmir. How real are the prospects for a lasting settlement? This question will be examined by Dr Robert W. Bradnock, Senior Lecturer in Geography at King’s College, University of London, and widely published author of numerous books and articles on the political geography of South Asia. Updated with photographs Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 22 January 2004
Outcomes and Implications
of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad
22 January 2004, EIAS, Brussels H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, will speak on behalf of Pakistan as the host country of the SAARC Summit and presently holding the Chairmanship of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). All the SAARC Ambassadors to the EU in Brussels have kindly agreed to assist at the meeting and participate in the Q&A which will follow Ambassador Fatemi's introduction and assessment of the outcomes and implications of the Summit. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 20 January 2004
Kyrgyzstan's Accession
to the WTO - Implications for Central Asia
20 January 2004, EIAS, Brussels In December 1998, Kyrgyzstan became the first country among the former Republics of the Soviet Union to join the WTO. It still remains the only Central Asian WTO Member State, and faces strong protection measures in trade with its neighbouring countries. Mr Muktar Jumaliev, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek is in charge of the multilateral and bilateral trade negotiation within the WTO as well as developing foreign trade and promoting exports. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 16 January 2004
2004 Presidential
Elections in Taiwan - Why the referendum?
16 January 2004, EIAS, Brussels Prof Chang Hsu-Cheng, Member, Legislative Yuan Taiwan and Presidential Advisor, will discuss a controversial referendum law. The referendum is expected to be called at the same time as the forthcoming Presidential elections on March 20th 2004. It will focus on the threat that Taiwan faces from missiles on the Chinese mainland, calling for their removal. Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 11 December 2003
Islam in South
East Asia
12:30 - 14:30, 11 December 2003, EIAS, Brussels In light of the recent dramatic events in traditionally insular Southeast Asia – the Bali and Jakarta bombings - and the global popular association of Islam and violence, it is timely to re-examine the nature and state of Islam, and its cultural practices in this highly pluralized part of the world. Professor Shamsul A.B. will argue that the present so-called ‘global Islam’ could only embed itself with an already entrenched understanding of Islam in the region. Likewise, it is argued that Islam in Europe is one that is embedded into highly pluralized Europe. In this sense, the Southeast Asian case makes for an interesting comparison with Europe – indeed a mirror. Co-organised by EIAS and the Asia Europe Foundation Click here to read more Luncheon Briefing - 25 November 2003
Democracy
And Decentralisation In India: Local Government In Madhya Pradesh
25 November, EIAS, Brussels A briefing by Dr Girish Kumar, a Fellow in Political Science at the Centre de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi, with discussant Dr Apurba Kundu, EIAS Senior Research Fellow. Since independence, India has made repeated attempts to find a political space for panchayats (local councils). Constitutionalising panchayats in 1992 has met with mixed success in Indian states. The case of panchayats in Madhya Pradesh will be used to illustrate the capacity of the present political system to provide genuine support to the project of decentralisation and local democracy. Click here to read more World Bank and Asia - 3 November 2003
South
Asia's Future Prospects: A World Bank Perspective
3 November 2003, EIAS, Brussels A talk by Mr Praful Patel, World Bank Vice-President for the South Asia Region, and Mr Erich-Willhelm Müller, Director Asia, Europe Aid Office. Click here to read more E - Commerce in India - 13 October 2003
E-Commerce and the Law in India
13 October 2003, EIAS, Brussels A briefing given by Mr Richard Jones, Reader in Law and Information Technology at Liverpool John Moores University. Electronic commerce—conducting business through network technology—will significantly impact the global economy and play a vital part in future economic development. A number of developing countries have pursued policies to formulate consistent legal and regulatory framework to support electronic transactions across state, national and international borders. The Indian Information and Technology Act 2000 provides a legal framework so that transactions are not denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely because they are in electronic form. This talk outlines the economic impact of e-commerce on India and reviews the main provisions of the Act in the context of contractual, jurisdictional, security, and regulatory issues. The Act is contrasted with similar provisions in Europe, the United States and South East Asia. Click here to read more Uzbekistan - 3 October 2003
Uzbekistan's Perspective on Regional Integration
and Security
3 October 2003, EIAS, Brussels A briefing given by Vladimir Norov, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, to members and invited guests. In his words, "The serious threat to the stability of Central Asia is posed by the religious extremist organisation Khizb-ut-Takhrir, which has been determined by many countries as outlawed. The threat is that undermining activity and destructive ideology of Khizb-ut-Takhrir aim mainly at young generation. We in Uzbekistan believe that "psychological pressure that is making young people to become zombies is not less dangerous than the weapons of mass destruction". Click here to read more |
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