Latest news with #EUAmbassador
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia expects to conclude free trade talks with EU by end of June
JAKARTA: Indonesia said on Saturday (Jun 7) that free trade negotiations with the European Union, which have been going on for nine years, are expected to finish by the end of June. Airlangga Hartarto, the chief economic minister for Southeast Asia's biggest economy, met with EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Friday. "Indonesia and the European Union have agreed to conclude outstanding issues and we are ready to announce a conclusion of substantial negotiations by the end of June 2025," Airlangga Hartarto said in a statement. He did not disclose details about what agreements may have been reached. Denis Chaibi, EU Ambassador to Indonesia, said: "Negotiations are ongoing and substance will determine timing. We will communicate in details when we have an outcome." The EU is Indonesia's fifth biggest trade partner, with total trade between the two reaching US$30.1 billion last year. Indonesia had a US$4.5 billion trade surplus, Airlangga said. Indonesia and the EU have previously disagreed on the EU's trade rules for products with potential links to deforestation which could affect Indonesian palm oil, as well as Jakarta's ban on exports of raw minerals. Indonesian officials have been motivated to accelerate talks on free trade agreements, keen to diversify the country's export destinations as they deal with US tariff challenges. Seeking to end US trade deficits worldwide, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs that have since been paused until July.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean-EU partnership vital in navigating global shifts, says EU envoy
Rafael Daerr says the Asean Community Vision 2045, set to be launched at the regional bloc's summit next week, will allow the EU to identify new areas of cooperation with Asean. PETALING JAYA : Rafael Daerr, the European Union (EU) ambassador to Malaysia, is calling on Asean and the EU—two of the world's most successful regional blocs— to strengthen their cooperation to navigate a rapidly fragmented global landscape. Speaking with FMT, Daerr acknowledged Asean's growing presence on the world stage. 'If you just look at the upcoming summit and how many people will be coming and who is coming, it's a testament to the importance and to the convening power of Asean,' he said. Daerr said Asean and the EU, which together represent over one billion people, were 'natural partners' and powerful convening forces on the global stage. 'We are, I would say, families of countries that are very similar. 'Most of us are middle power countries and we all depend on frameworks of regional and international cooperation that provide predictable, rules-based environments for us to cooperate,' he said. Daerr said, as regional entities, Asean and the EU provide stability and predictability, allowing small and middle powers to navigate geopolitical tensions without being caught between larger forces. He said the EU has long recognised the value of regional cooperation and how vital it is for neighbouring countries to be able to engage and work together. 'We have always supported Asean initiatives in various fields, because regional cooperation has been in our DNA for 80 years,' said Daerr. Recognising that trust is fostered through dialogue and in-person discussions, Daerr said the EU is looking to deepen its ties with Asean by elevating engagement to the highest levels of leadership. AdChoices ADVERTISING 'I have been lobbying for us to get as many high level interlocutors to Malaysia in the coming year, to have dialogues at a very high level. 'What we want is to continue the engagements we have between the EU and Asean at all levels, not just through senior officials' meetings but also through ministerial engagements and meetings between heads of state and government,' he said. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recognised the EU's increasing commitment to a more active and strategic engagement. Speaking to the media, he said Asean can strengthen its economic resilience to changes in the US tariff policy by deepening ties with the EU and other key partners. Future cooperation Daerr said bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), entered between the EU and several Asean nations, were pragmatic steps toward the long-term goal of an inter-regional EU-Asean trade deal. He said the present agreements, tailored to suit the unique economic landscape of each country, provide a flexible approach to doing business as Asean pursues internal integration. 'At this stage, negotiating bilateral FTAs is clearly more beneficial for both partners, because you can adapt each and every agreement to the needs and requirements of the country and also the state of the economy. 'So I think this is definitely, in the short term, the most fruitful way forward, a stepping stone toward our long-term goal of a region-to-region agreement,' he said. The EU already has agreements in force with Singapore and Vietnam and is at various stages of negotiations with Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, talks with Malaysia were formally relaunched earlier this year following Anwar's visit to Brussels, with the first round of negotiations scheduled for the middle of this year. Daerr said the EU was also looking forward to the launch of the Asean Community Vision 2045 at the summit on May 26 and 27, viewing it as a key reference point for identifying new areas of cooperation and as a compass to guide Asean's work over the next two decades.
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Polish pianist brings Europe's musical soul to Saudi Arabia's capital
RIYADH: As part of the cultural dialogue between the EU and Saudi Arabia, the embassy of the EU in the Kingdom organized a musical evening at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh. Speaking at 'The European Piano Recital,' the EU ambassador said: 'Saudi Arabia is a close ally with whom we enjoy close relations. My only wish is that music will serve to build bridges and bring our artists and our peoples closer together.' During the recital, Polist vituoso pianist Wojciech Waleczek took the audience on a journey through the 27 countries of the EU, performing classical works that highlight the continent's cultural diversity. The pianist is renowned internationally for his artistic excellence and his commitment to spreading classical music throughout the world. He is also professor of musical arts at the University of Silesia in Katowice. Waleczek told Arab News: 'These were works by composers from all the countries of the European Union. We asked composers from each EU country to write a piece, which we presented this evening. 'I think this is a very important event, because we can exchange our cultures. For example, in Europe we can listen to music from other continents. Just as in Europe, we can listen to music from other continents. So we can bring European culture to other countries. That's why I do it. I've discovered Polish culture and now I'd like to share it with Saudi audiences.' Waleczek has a very active international career. He performs solo recitals, chamber music and as a soloist with orchestras in more than 40 countries, notably in Europe, the Middle East, America and Asia, and collaborates with many prestigious orchestras. He closed his recital with a performance of Schiller's poem 'Ode to Joy,' which expresses an idealistic vision of human brotherhood, a vision shared by Beethoven. In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted the theme of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' as its anthem, and in 1985 the leaders of the EU adopted it as their official anthem. Waleczek said: 'I played the 'Ode to Joy,' which is the anthem of the European Union, and this piece is very special. I think that, in today's world, we must always remember that we are the guardians of peace.' A specialist in the repertoire of Franz Liszt, his recordings include 'Grandes etudes de Paganini' (2017), 'Harmonies poetiques et religieuses' in 2019, and 'Weihnachtsbaum' in 2024. He also performs works by Franz Schubert, such as 'Rarities and Short Piano Works' in 2021. Alongside his artistic career, he teaches at the Institute of Musical Arts at the University of Silesia. He is also vice president of the SIGNUM association, which promotes classical music in Poland and abroad. The recital concert is part of efforts to strengthen cultural links between Europe and Saudi Arabia and accompanies the Kingdom's artistic and cultural transformation under Vision 2030.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Pavilion shines at FHA-Food & Beverage Singapore 2025
The EU Pavilion at FHA-Food & Beverage Singapore 2025 was a vibrant showcase of Europe's finest culinary offerings. Held from 8-11 Apr at Singapore Expo, Asia's premier food and beverage trade show highlighted the European Union's focus on quality, sustainability and innovation. The EU Pavilion opened with a ceremony led by H.E. Iwona Piórko, the EU Ambassador to Singapore. Bringing together industry leaders, culinary experts, and institutional representatives, the event set an exciting tone for the show. It underscored Europe's commitment to sharing its world-class food and beverage offerings with Singapore and beyond. The highlight for the crowd was undoubtedly the daily live cooking demonstrations. Two renowned chefs, our very own Masterchef Inderpal Singh and Singapore-based French Chef François Mermilliod, drew crowds with their creative and engaging displays. They showcased the versatility of EU-certified ingredients, including PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), and organic produce, in both Asian and European dishes. Chef Inderpal, celebrated for his modern Indian cuisine, reimagined traditional flavours with modern techniques, creating dishes that were both familiar and refined. Meanwhile, Chef François, founder of Singapore's Bar-A-Thym, brought the warmth of southern French cooking to life, using seasonal ingredients to highlight the natural quality of EU products. These sessions bridging European and Asian culinary traditions showcased the superior quality of European ingredients, sparking interesting conversations among food enthusiasts and industry professionals. Complementing the culinary displays, the EU Pavilion hosted a series of informative workshops led by European and Singaporean experts. Covering key categories like wine, spirits, cheese, olive oil, and meats, these sessions offered buyers and distributors valuable insights into EU food safety standards, traceability, and sustainability practices. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for what sets European products apart. The EU's presence at FHA 2025 reinforced its strong partnership with Singapore, its largest trading partner in ASEAN. Supported by the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) and the newly concluded EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA), the EU Pavilion provided a platform to explore new trade opportunities and deepen commercial ties. The enthusiasm from importers, hospitality professionals, and institutional stakeholders highlighted Asia's growing demand for authentic, high-quality European food and drink. FHA-Food & Beverage Singapore 2025 was a triumph for the EU, cementing its reputation as a leader in the global food scene. The Pavilion blended culinary creativity with meaningful business connections, leaving attendees eager for more. As Asia's appetite for European products continues to grow, the EU is poised to bring even more to the table at future events. * This post was brought to you in partnership with the EU. 10 best wine fridges & wine chillers in Singapore [Mar 2025 update] The post EU Pavilion shines at FHA-Food & Beverage Singapore 2025 appeared first on
