EU - Page 13 of 16

Mongolia’s ‘New Revival Policy’: What Opportunities does it Present for the EU?

The end of 2021 saw Mongolia’s State Great Khural (parliament) ratify the ‘New Revival’ policy. As the COVID-19 pandemic led to Mongolia’s largest economic contraction since 1990 (-5.3%), the policy aims to ensure political and macroeconomic stability, accelerate public-private partnerships, create a favourable business environment, further open up the state to foreign and domestic investment, and implement fiscal reforms.

China and the EU in Climate Geopolitics

From the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, international gatherings are becoming more frequent. By cooperating on the climate agenda and the transition towards cleaner energy, there is no doubt that China and the EU are key actors in setting the path towards a global greener future. The main question is: how?

In-person EIAS Book Launch “Mongolia: Cracks in the Eternal Blue Sky” on 13.04.2022

How potentially rich Mongolia is held back by political mischief and corruption. Can the EU (and GSP+) be of any help? The European Institute for Asian Studies is delighted to invite you to the book launch we are organising in cooperation with Erik Versavel to present his book ‘Mongolia: Cracks in the Eternal Blue Sky‘. The book launch will be an in-person event hosted at the EIAS premises on Wednesday 13 April 2022 from 16:30 to 18:00. The event will include an interactive Q&A session between the panellists and the audience and will be followed by a networking reception.

The French EU Presidency and Upcoming Elections in a Fragile International Context

France has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU since 1 January 2022, following Slovenia’s term. In a speech delivered on 9 December 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the necessity for a “European response” in facing both health and economic challenges, the rise of aggressive powers, climate change and global warming.

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.

South Korea’s 20th presidential election: Finding a Korean balance between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific region

South Korea’s presidential election is scheduled to be held on 9 March 2022. The two major parties, the ruling liberal Democratic Party (DP) and the conservative People Power Party (PPP), nominated their presidential candidates, both of whom have no legislative experience in the National Assembly. The former Gyeonggi Province Governor, Lee Jae-Myung, was nominated by the DP to succeed incumbent President Moon Jae-In, and the former Prosecutor-General, Yoon Suk-Yeol, was nominated by the PPP (opposition camp) to rebrand the party following the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-Hye.

The Indo-Pacific Forum and the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy: Engaging with the new International Order

The EU is redefining their position in the international world order through their Indo-Pacific Plan. In this respect, on 22 February 2022, European and Indo-Pacific representatives for foreign affairs and security policy are set to meet in Paris for the Indo-Pacific Forum.

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.