EIAS
67 Rue de la Loi
1040 Brussels
Belgium

Tel: +32 (0)2 230.81.22
Fax: +32 (0)2 230.54.02

Email: eias@eias.org

The 2005 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka – The Observer’s Assessment
1 December2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speaker: Mr. John Cushnahan
Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka
Board Member, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels
Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels - Updated with photos

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.

The EU’s Role in the Aceh Peace Process Monitoring
29 November2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speakers: H.E. Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski, Head of Task Force for Asia, Policy Unit, Council of the European Union
Dr. Timo Kivimäki, Senior Researcher, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies
Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

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. Online Registration

7th Europe - East Asia Think Tank Dialogue
22 to 24 November 2005
Jakarta and Denpasar, Indonesia

EIAS will be co-organizing the 7th EU-Asia Think Tank dialogue, jointly  with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung regional offices in Singapore and Brussels and the ASEAN-ISIS. This year the meeting will be hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta.

Draft Programme (pdf)

 We hosted a discussion on the structure and role of the governmental institutions of Europe for a delegation from Myanmar, headed by U Nyan Lynn, Director General, Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar. Photo

The European Union’s Strategic Interests in East Asia
17 November, 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speakers: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, EIAS
Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Research Fellow, EIAS
Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, EIAS

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.

In particular the study aimed to:

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;
Identify long-term shaping factors that affect/determine co-operation within East Asia and with the EU;
Undertake a strategic analysis of the major world players in the region;
Examine the existing EU policies and strategies towards the region and China;
Analyse the challenges posed by the major powers in the region (Russia, China, USA, India);
Elaborate alternative scenarios, new options and recommendations for EU policies. Updated with photographs

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. Updated with photgraphs

Taiwan-China Cross-Straits Relations: What role for the EU?
18 October 2005: Venue: 41-43 Birkbeck College, Gordon Square, London, UK
20 October: Hotel Leopold, 35 rue du Luxembourg, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

The European Institute for Asian Studies and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in collaboration with the European Alliance for Asian Studies, are organising an annual high-level Conference entitled “Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Relations: What Role for the EU?” to take place in London on October 18th and in Brussels on October 20th, 2005. The Conference will assemble leading policymakers, scholars and civil society representatives from the EU, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China to discuss current events and trends affecting the evolution of mutual relations. Updated with Speeches and Presentations

Shaping Change - Strategies of Development and Transformation
5 - 7 October  2005
Bertelsmann Stiftung, Berlin, Germany

A High Level international conference on Political Management of Transformation Enhancing Governance Capacity. Dr Willem van der Geest, EIAS director, will contribute to two sessions; 'Market Economy First? Dealing with growing participatory demands' and 'Strategic Perspectives - Special Sessions Findings'.

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

We regret that this meeting has been postponed as the speaker's flight to Brussels was cancelled due to fog.

Burma and ASEAN - The Way Forward
4 October 2005 (Registration 9:30) 10:00 - 12:00
European Parliament, Brussels

EIAS in collaboration with the office of Mrs Glenys Kinnock MEP will be organising a Special Briefing on the current situation in Burma at the European Parliament. (for further updates please consult the EIAS website) It is expected that Etta Rosales MP from the Philippines and John Ungphakorn MP from Thailand will be speaking at the occasion. Updated

EBS London Jean Monnet Memorial Lecture
28 September, 2005
European Business School, London, UK

The European Business School, London will be holding the 2005 Jean Monnet Memorial Lecture on 28th September, specifically on the subject of India. Dr Willem van der Geest, Director EIAS has been invited to speak as a member of the distinguished panel.

With India's growth prospects in a globalising world set to hit around 8% from the currrent 6.5% in the near future, projecting it to become the third largest economy after the US and China, "India and Globalisation" will be the theme of the Lecture.

DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 
We met with representatives of the DPRK's Foreign Ministry led by Kim Chun Guk, Director of the European Department, for a private briefing.

Issues discussed included the nuclear talks, regional cooperation and relations with China

EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 9 No. 7&8 July-August 2005 Published

This issue features contributions from H.E. Ali Ahani on Iran-EU relations, Aceh's post-tsunami reconstruction and peace agreement by Max ven den Berg, MEP, lessons for EU election observation from the 2002 Pakistan General Election by John Cushnahan, the role of the EU in the Aceh peace settlement by Bunaryadi, Europe's strategy for relations with Burma by Harn Yawnghwe and a report of the visit of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to China by Paul Cook. There is news and analysis from the EU and Asia with a comprehensive report of the activities of the EU Institutions.

The previous issue is now avaliable online. Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley

Asia Europe Journal

The Asia Europe Journal has issued a Call for Papers for people interested in contributing to upcoming issues. More information (pdf)

Director's Assistant
Tasks: to assist in conference organisation, general management and institutional development of EIAS, to provide research assistance for specific projects

Requirements: relevant Master’s Degree, research experience, active interest in Asia, team-player
One year renewable contract from November 2005

Jappe Eckhardt, research intern at EIAS during the autumn 2004, has now completed his doctorandus degree in Political Science, with a specialisation in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam.

His examiners awarded him a cum laude mark (9 out of 10) for his thesis (doctoraal-scriptie) on ' Trade Liberalization in Textiles and Clothing: The Case of the EU and China'. His thesis reviews the structure and protectionism in the sector from 1945 to 1995, analyzes the trade liberalization under the Agreement on Textile and Clothing (ATC) and concludes with an analysis how the presumed quota-free world is now affecting EU-China relations.

Jappe Eckhardt is wishing to pursue research towards a PhD and may be contacted at j.eckhardt@gmail.com

Ten Years of ASEM
14 - 15 September 2005,
University of Helsinki, Finland

An International Conference on Achievements and Possibilities of the Asia-Europe Meeting, will be opened by Markus Lyra, Under Secretary of State, ASEM Senior Official , from the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

Dr Sebastian Bersick, EIAS Research Fellow, will present a paper, "The ASEM Added Value: Showcasing European Soft Power in the first session of this event.

Regional Political and Economic Cooperation in Asia
16 - 17 September 2005
Japanese - German Centre, Berlin, Germany

This scientific conference has been organised by the German Association for Asian Studies. Dr Sebastian Bersick, EIAS Research Fellow, will present a paper entitled "The Value of Regional Cooperation: The example of South East Asia and ASEAN. In addition Dr Bersick will act as a discussant in the workshop on security.

The 5th Asian International Forum in Fukuoka
31 August & 1 September 2005 
Hotel Nikko,  Fukuoka, Japan

Theme: Envisioning an "East Asian Community"

Co-sponsored by: Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, the Organizing Committee of
the Asian International Forum in Fukuoka

Distinguished representatives of think tanks in Asia, EU and US gathered at the 5th Asian International Forum in FukuokaAt this forum economic experts of leading think tanks involved in governmental policymaking in their respective countries/regions discussed Asia’s present and future developments. 

Dr Willem van der Geest gave a presentation, "The East Asian Summit - towards ever closer cooperation? --  an EU perspective".

International Convention of Asia Scholars 4
20 - 24 August 2005
Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China

Theme: The Future of Asia

Co-Organised by The International Institute for Asian Studies and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.

Dr. Sebastian Bersick organised and chaired a panel on 'Multi-regionalism and Asian-European Affairs' on behalf of the European Alliance for Asian Studies. The panel focused on the institutionalization of intraregional and interregional cooperation in the international system and, in particular, on the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process.

ADEK International AISBL Conference - The EU and the emergent economic powers in Asia
28 July 2005
European Commission, Brussels

The Association of Former Trainees of the European Union, ADEK International’s main aim is to allow current and former stagiaires to engage with each other and to keep in touch with the European institutions for which they worked after this shared and fulfilling experience.

This conference focused on the relations between the European Union and the emergent economic powers of Asia, mainly focusing in China and India, and included two panels: “The development of China and India in the context of globalization” and “Europe and the competition challenges posed by the two emerging powers of Asia.

Hong Kong University
26 July 2005

We hosted an informal briefing for a group of students from Hong Kong University. After a presentation on the institute, students were invited to discuss EU -Asian relations with Dick Gupwell, EIAs Secretary General and Dr Willem van der Geest, EIAS Director

EIAS Newsletter

Keep informed about the Institute and it's work. We publish a monthly email newsletter that is open to the public. and sent to almost 5,000 subscribers including leading experts and academics. Read the latest edition online and join the list.

EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 9 No. 5&6 May-June 2005 published

This issue features contributions from Gay Mitchell MEP on his Parliamentary report on the EU's development policy, David de Beer on small arms management in Cambodia and articles on North Korea's economy, the future of development co-operation, Iran's new President and the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. There is news and analysis from the EU and Asia, the EU Institutions as well as full reports of recent EIAS events.

The previous issue is now avaliable online.

Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor, John Quigley

EIAS Has Moved Office Update
We have finished our move and all our systems are now working. Please feel free to call in and take a look at our new premises, or see some photos of our new home.

Our new address is nearby on the second floor at 67 Rue de la Loi, Brussels 1040. Here is a map to the new office. Thank you for your patience.

Staff Changes
Two valued members of the EIAS team have left the Institute. Caroline Horekens is now working for UN in Quito, Equador and Chen Wang is now working for the Bank of Shanghai in the P.R. China.

EIAS-Nomisma-EU Commission Brainstorming Workshop

The EIAS-Nomisma Study Project commissioned by the EU Commission on the Economics and Politics of East Asian Co-operation and China's Role in the Process: Opportunities and Challenges for the EU is proceeding very well and is entering it final stage.

In the framework of the study the EIAS convened a two-day Brainstorming Workshop on 16 and 17 June 2005. The Workshop was held at the European Commission's Charlemagne Building in Brussels. This two-day event brought together the study Team of Experts and Commission and Council officials and the invited Chairpersons of the European Parliament's delegations for relations with Asia.

Using a multi-disciplinary approach, EIAS and Nomisma brought together a Team of fifteen renowned experts from Europe, East Asia and the United States to collaborate on tackling all issues with respect to this major project which serves to reassess Europe’s strategic interests in East Asia and to provide information on the region’s likely development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms, with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation and, in particular, China’s role.

EU-China Relations and the EU's Arms Embargo
10 June, 2005
Center for Defence Information, Brussels

Dr Bersick gave a lecture on the arms embargo during the annual board meeting of the CDI

EU Constitution and the EU's Pivotal Role
2 - 4 June, 2005
Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan

Dr. Sebastian Bersick will present a paper on "The EU Constitution and its Impact on the Politics of Interregional Relations: Strengthening Europe's Role in Asia" at the "International Symposium on the EU Constitutional Treaty and EU's Global Role", organised by the European Union Research Forum, Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, Taipei. Dr. Bersick will also give a lecture on the outcome of the EU refernedums and the implications for EU Asian Co-operation at the Research and Planning Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Foundation on International and Cross-Strait Studies.

Lecture and Simulation
6 - 8 June, 2005
Clingendael, Netherlands Institute for International Relations in The Hague

On 6 June Dr Bersick gave a lecture on "The Future of ASEM Dialogue" within the framework of a course in Strategic Planning and Foreign Policy for Senior Diplomats from Indonesia.

Taiwan-China Cross-Straits Relations: What role for the EU?
20-22 September 2005 (to be confirmed), London - UK and Brussels - Belgium

This international conference will be hosted by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London on September 20 2005 (to be confirmed) and by the European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels on September 21-22, 2005 (to be confirmed) under the auspices of the European Alliance for Asian Studies. The multi-level conference will assemble distinguished speakers from China, Taiwan and Europe to discuss and assess the role of the EU with regard to the Taiwan-China Cross Straits relations.

Changing Regional Security Structure? The EU’s Opportunities to Play a Role in Asian Security Politics

EIAS has contributed to a report commissioned by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the EU’s role in Asian security in collaboration with the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, a partner in the European Strategic Alliance for Asian Studies (insert link).

On 19 May, Dr. Willem van der Geest and Signe Bruun-Jensen of EIAS travelled to Copenhagen to discuss the draft of the report entitled The Security Situation in Asia: Changing Regional Security Structure? The EU’s Opportunities to Play a Role in Asian Security Politics.

Meeting the Challenges of Helping South Asia More Effectively
24 May 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speaker: Mr. Praful Patel, Regional Vice President, South Asia Region, World Bank
Chair: Mr. Malcolm Subhan, vice-Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

For the past decade, South Asia has been the second fastest-growing region in the world, after East Asia, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3 percent. However, the region remains one of the most disadvantaged in the world: more than 40 percent of its 1.4 billion people live on less than one dollar a day, making South Asia home to nearly half of the world's poor.

The European Institute for Asian Studies has the pleasure to welcome Mr. Praful Patel, Regional Vice President for the South Asia Region, World Bank, to give an overview of World Bank efforts to provide increased assistance in different countries in South Asia. Updated with the speaker's presentation and photographs

EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 9 No. 3&4 March-April 2005 published.
This issue features contributions from the EU Commissioner for External
Relations on the importance of EU-ASEAN relations, the Chairwoman of the
Parliament Delegation on Relations with Iran and a report from a development
NGO operating in Nepal helping Bhutanese refugees. There is news and
analysis from the EU and Asia as well as full reports of recent EIAS
meetings.

The previous issue is now avaliable online
Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor: j.quigley@eias.org

Relocating Productive Capacity to China? Or Elsewhere?
By Prof Em Sylvain Plasschaert, University of Antwerp and Catholic University of Leuven

This paper attempts to chart and analyse the phenomenon of delocalisation, which is by no means a novel one, but which is no doubt accelerating in rapidly evolving and globalizing world arena, with a focus on China an the new EU Member States (MS) in Europe. It characterises subcontracting within the same country as externalisation whereas ‘outsourcing’ refers to subcontracting abroad, typically in a lower-cost location.

Click here to download (pdf)

Kashmir - What Role for the EU?
28 April, 2005, Fondation Universitaire, Brussels

Speakers:
Maj. Gen. (retd) Sardar Muhammed Anwar Khan, President of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, Leader of the Opposition of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
Mr John Cushnahan, Former MEP and EIAS Board Member
Ambassador Tomas Kowlowski, Head of Asia Task Force, EU Council

On 18 April 2005, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with President General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan at a summit in New Delhi. Conscious of the historic opportunity created by the improved environment in relations and the overwhelming desire of the peoples of the two countries for durable peace, the two leaders held substantive talks.

Dynamics of East Asian regionalism, what implications for the EU?
By Jappe Eckhardt

East Asia is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the world and has become an increasingly influ- ential player on the international stage. At the moment the region is going trough historic economic and geopolitical changes that will have important implications for the world economic landscape.

Click here to download (pdf)

EIAS Annual Report 2004

We are pleased to announce that the EIAS Annual Report for 2004 has been submitted to the EC. This report is now avaliable online (pdf)

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. Updated with photos

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)
Chair: Dr.Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies

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.

Lifting the Arms Embargo on China: A Shift in EU Priorities?
6 April, 2005, Residence Palace, Brussels

Speakers:
James Moran, Head of the Asia Unit, External Relations DG, European Commission, Brussels
Dr. Greg Austin, Director of Research, Foreign Policy Centre, London
Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Research Fellow, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels
Chair: Harold Tanner, Chairman of the Transatlantic Institute

Burgeoning trade, high-level summits and a new ‘strategic partnership’ agreement mark dramatic growth in Sino-European relations. Consequently, an EU campaign to lift its arms embargo against China - implemented by the EU and US in response to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre - has gained momentum.

While Europe may profit from such a policy change, both economically and strategically, it now faces a new transatlantic dilemma. Will the EU opt for increased trade against America’s vocal protests? Is the embargo still an effective and appropriate way to stop human rights infractions or is it an oudated political signal? What are the repercussions for broader East Asian security and stability? Updated with presentation

ASEAN Regional Cooperation
At Clingendael, the Netherlands Institute for International Relations in The Hague, EIAS Director Dr van der Geest presented a lecture on ASEAN Regional Cooperation for a group of Junior Diplomats from Indonesia. He presented an evaluation of the ASEAN process of regional cooperation through a analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, concluding with recommendations for success and sustainability. Download the Presentation (Power Point)

Indonesia - Human Rights in Aceh in the Post-Tsunami context
17 March 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speaker: Mr. Hendra Budian, Vice-Director, Banda Aceh Legal Aid Institute, Indonesia
Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary-General, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

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. Updated with photos

The Post-Tsunami Relief Effort 3
European Parliament, Brussels
March 15, 2005

Mr Nirj Deva MEP, in co-operation with Dr Van der Geest from the European Institute for Asian Studies, is holding a follow-up meeting to that which took place on post-tsunami relief last month. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 15 March from 10:30- 13:00 in the European Parliament (Rm A1E2).

The purpose of this meeting is to provide an exchange of views between Ambassadors and top representatives from NGOs and international institutions involved in the relief effort. This forum will discuss the important issues of revenue transparency and NGO's capacity to absorb funding. Commissioner Louis Michel shall also be present to discuss the topics at hand. Updated with Official Minutes, Photos and Presentations

EurAsia Bulletin Vol. 9 No. 1&2 Jan-February 2005 published.
This issues features several articels on the EU's response to the December 2004 tsunami, including the Luxembourg Minister for Development Co-operation, the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament Development Committee and a representative of the Red Cross EU.

This issue also considers the role the USA might play in the EU-China arms embargo and an analysis of developemtns in the East Asian Community. Full reports of recent EIAS lunch briefings are included with topical news and analysis.

The previous issue is now avaliable online.
Comments or suggestions? Please contact the Editor (Acting) John Quigley

Democracy & Governance in Nepal
2 March 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. Updated with photographs and background information

Video Conference
1 March 2005, European Parliament, Brussels

A Video Conference between Mr. Chen Shui-bian, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and leading European Parliamentarians and Media on issues related to Taiwan, cross-strait relations and E.U.-Taiwan relations. Updated with photographs and press coverage

EIAS quoted in the International Herald Tribune
"Non-military economic objectives weigh far more in the EU decision than any gains to be made from selling arms '' says Dr Willem van der Geest of EIAS... Read the whole article

EurAsia Bulletin Vol 8 #11 & 12 Published
This issue features contributions from a relief NGO operating in Afghanistan, a Belgian-based trade union protecting mine workers safety in China as well as a comprehensive report on an EIAS conference on Taiwan-China cross-strait relations. Full reports of recent EIAS lunch briefings are included with topical news and analysis. The previous issue is now avaliable online

Comments or suggestions? Please contact Editor (Acting) John Quigley

Post-Tsunami Relief Effort
On February 15th 2005 a meeting on The Post-Tsunami Relief Effort, organised by Mr Nirj Deva MEP and co-chaired by the European Institute for Asian Studies, was held at the at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum for Ambassadors from the tsunami affected areas to discuss their country's needs in an exchange of views with other Ambassadors from donor countries, representatives from European and international institutions, and NGO representatives.

EIAS Calendar of Events 2005
Keep up to date with our activities with our calendar of events. Please note that this is a transitional document that is frequently updated as events are planned and finalised

Economics and Politics of East Asian Co-operation and China's Role in the Process
The main objective of the study is to identify Europe’s strategic interests in East Asia, and to provide information on the region’s likely development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms, with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation and in particular China’s role.

2005 Work Programme Online
As the leading research and policy think tank on EU-Asia, EIAS aspires to do more than ‘merely’ track developments in EU-Asia relations. Whereas the European Union institutions inevitably focus on short-time horizons and immediate responses to unfolding events, EIAS value-addition lies in its seeking to anticipate developments, by looking ahead some three, five or even ten years, thus helping to shape policy by identifying and analysing key-determinants of the unfolding scenarios.

In addition to ‘thinking ahead’ it also is committed to ‘thinking outside the box’, initiating new policy ideas, facilitating track-two diplomacy and ensuring a cross-flow of information between officials, academics and experts, and civil society actors. EIAS invites you to read its work-programme, revised in response to the horrendous Tsunami disaster that struck Asia (and Africa)

Post -Tsunami Relief, Reconstruction and Development: What can the EU do?
Venue: Room 70, The European Economic and Social Committee
99 rue Belliard, B-1040, Brussels
Date :  15h00 - 17h30 Wednesday, January 19, 2005

The short, medium and long-term consequences of this horrendous natural disaster across Asia and Africa are far-reaching. A number of international and regional initiatives are taking place to provide a situation analysis and respond appropriately to the region's needs. International support, including from the people and governments of the European Union, has been generous and unprecedented.

In light of these developments a number of questions must be addressed:
Will the generous humanitarian assistance offered by the EU be followed up with adequate long-term support to rebuild shattered communities and provide them the means to regain their livelihoods?

What needs to be done to ensure an effective long-term approach from the EU? Updated with Photographs, Speeches and Presentations

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. Updated with photographs

Regionalism vs Multi-lateralism: What Could Bangladesh learn from the Global Experience?
Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Monday, January 3, 2005

The Dialogue on Regionalism vs. Multi-lateralism was chaired by Prof Rehman Sobhan, Chairman Centre for Policy Dialogue, with Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury as the Chief Guest and the former Commerce Minister and
opposition Awami League leader Mr Tofail Ahmed as the Special Guest.

Dr Willem van der Geest presented a keynote address at the Dialogue, entitled Regionalism vs Multi-lateralism: Lessons for Bangladesh from Indo-ASEAN Experience. The Dialogue was arranged by the Centre for Policy
Dialogue, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The EurAsia Bulletin Vol 8 #9 and #10

This edition has just been published, and the previous issue is avaliable for download