Policy Briefs Categories - Page 2 of 8

Addressing the EU’s GSP+ Dilemma – An Assessment of Pakistan’s GSP+ Status

The EU’s beneficial trade scheme for vulnerable, low-income countries, the GSP+ framework, is currently under review. Meant to aid developing countries’ efforts of lifting their most deprived parts of society out of poverty, it is supposed to incentivise social and environmental conditions in countries such as Pakistan. Yet, there is plenty of criticism revolving around transparency, objectivity and effectiveness of the framework. This EIAS Policy Brief examines areas of potential improvement of the scheme along the case of Pakistan.

Infrastructure Financing in Sri Lanka: Lessons Learnt and Future Collaboration

Over the past decade, Sri Lanka has seen a steady rise in foreign debt, largely as a result of unsustainable infrastructural loans. This debt was exacerbated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the highly remunerative tourism sector majorly impacted. In early 2021, the government was forced to declare a state of economic emergency amidst a distressing fall in the value of the Sri Lankan Rupee.

Japan’s Foreign Policy Under PM Kishida: The Same as Before, Yet Different?

Assessing Japan’s October 2021 general elections from a Foreign Policy Persepctive and how it will affect EU-Japan Relations

Right on Track or off the Rails? – The Impact of the Laos-China Railway on Lao PDR

With the inauguration of the Laos-China Railway and the starting of its operations between Vientiane and Kunming, Laos is entering a new era. This Policy Brief assesses the politics beyond the railway, its risks and benefits.

EU-Kyrgyz Republic relations: Maintaining a Foothold

2021 was a tumultuous year for the Kyrgyz Republic, as the nation witnessed the president’s resignation and the rapid emergence

Uncertainty Looming over EU Investments in Myanmar Amid Political Crisis

More than half a year has passed since the military coup in Myanmar by the Tatmadaw. This has put an end to a decade-long period of democratic transitioning, which started in 2011 under Prime Minister U Thein Sein (Hlaing 2016). In October 2021, eight months after the coup, the situation in Myanmar is still far from stable.

Venturing to the North: The Chinese Quest for Arctic Legitimacy

China seeks to strengthen its circumpolar ties to gain legitimacy as an Arctic stakeholder. Meanwhile, the EU is following a similar path, attempting to balance the display of restraint and the desire to secure its own geopolitical interests in the Arctic region.

Enter EU: The Challenges and Cooperation Potential of the Indo-Pacific Strategy

After the initial proposal of a joint strategy in April 2021, the EU formally released its Indo-Pacific strategy on 16

EU-South Korea FTA: A Ten-Year Perspective

2021 marks the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union