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Burma Generals Opt for MiGs rather than Food or Medicine
What at first seems like a case of mistaken identity in Southeast Asia, may in fact be the real face of power and politics in Myanmar, one of the world's poorest and ... by David Fouquet
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New Japanese Leadership Shows Broader Visions
The recent elections in Japan may have marked a historic turning point not only for that important country, but for Asia and the International Community.Not only did the Japan ... by David Fouquet
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An EU-China Summit that didn't reach the rop
While the atmosphere at the EU-China Summit meeting in Prague May 20 seemed to be correct and cordial, it also seemed evident that the the six months' interval between the ... by David Fouquet
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The EU-China economic dialogue--more process than results?
Begun with some expectations more than a year ago and propelled into a possibly key and urgent role in the current economic recession, the EU-China economic and trade dialogue ... by David Fouquet
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EU-Japan Summit looks to the future after lost decade
EU-Japan relations have evolved a long way over more than 30 years, ranging from stormy acrimony to somnolent normalcy, but never reaching their full potential, a reality seem ... by David Fouquet
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Themes - Economics
Global-Chinese worker dialogue considered A new cooperative link between close to 350 million organised workers in China and the rest of the world that could eventually impact on global economic and labour conditions may move closer to being formalised at a meeting later this year following recent exploratory contacts and hesitation, according to European sources in Brussels.
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Themes - Politics
French EU Presidency clouds relations with China, Asia The arrival of France into the rotating presidency of the EU on July 1 for the second half of 2008 represented a major challenge for relations with Asia, and especially China, where feelings have been running high against France and its president for several months.
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Themes - Politics
European, Asian BMD Debates in Different Phases The increasing tempo of the debate and discussion of plans to erect ballistic missile defences (BMD) in Europe in recent weeks stands in stark contrast with the current lower-key treatment of comparable plans in Asia following similar debates there in the previous decade.
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Themes - Politics
Lifting of China Arms Embargo Rejected Again The never-ending twists and turns of the debate over the lifting of the EU symbolic embargo on arms sales to China for all intents and purposes endured an ultimate spasm when all the top French Presidential candidates indicated their opposition.
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Regions - Southeast Asia

MEPs Clash with Singapore Curbs

An irritating political flap over an international meeting in Singapore has once again raised questions over differing approaches to governance around the world but could also affect broader relations between the prosperous ASEAN city-state and the European Union.