Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the forcible deportation by Thailand of Lao Hmong refugees to Lao P.D.R.

The Presidency of the European Union is deeply dismayed by the decision of the Royal Thai Government to forcibly return a group of ethnic Hmong to the Lao P.D.R on December 28, 2009. The European Union regrets that these deportations have taken place without prior giving the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the possibility to determine the protection needs of these individuals through a meaningful screening process and to ensure the voluntary nature of any repatriation. more

30^th years of UN Women’s Rights Convention: the EU underlines the power of human rights to eradicate gender-based discrimination

The 30^th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) provides a great opportunity to reflect about the world’s situation of women’s rights. In spite of progress in the promotion of gender equality, discriminations on the basis of gender are still pervasive in all societies. Gender equality is a chapter of close co-operation between the European Union and international and regional organisations. In particular, the European Union engages with partner countries to combat the practice of discriminatory laws. Through its financial instruments, the EU supports complementary efforts by civil society organisations, such as activities on advocacy, monitoring and support to victims. more

Climate change: Bangkok meeting must make decisive progress towards ambitious global deal

The Swedish Presidency of the EU and the European Commission today called on international negotiators to make decisive progress towards an ambitious global climate change agreement at two weeks of world climate talks in Bangkok starting on 28 September. The Bangkok meeting is the penultimate preparatory session before the Copenhagen U.N. climate conference in December at which the global deal is due to be concluded.more

European Union Demarche on Climate Change

A demarche was made to the Thai Government on Wednesday 23rd September as part of the European Union's global efforts to mobilise political support to achieve an ambitious agreement at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December. more

EU GREEN DAYS

With the final stages of international climate negotiations at hand, the European Union is organising 11 days of climate change events in Bangkok on 1-11 October 2009. EU Green Days is a unique event, first of its kind in Thailand if not in Asia, which brings together art, music, science and politics to create awareness and discussion of the urgency of global action against climate change. EU Green Days takes place as Bangkok plays host to negotiators from all over the world gathering to work on a global agreement to control climate change. more

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, to take part in the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the EU

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), will lead the EU delegation participating in the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the EU and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Phuket on Wednesday, 22 and Thursday, 23 July 2009.

10,000 Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2009-2010

The European Commission has just awarded almost 10,000 new grants to be funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme in the academic year 2009-2010. 8,385 students and academics will come to study or teach in Europe, and 1,561 Europeans will spend periods at partner institutions in countries outside Europe. In the academic year of 2008 – 2009, 37 Thai students and 8 scholars have received grants under the Erasmus Mundus Programme.

Commercialising Asian food products - FAO, EC and DIP cooperation on Geographic Indicators

Bangkok - Asian farmers and agrifood supply chains are set to benefit from latest initiatives to support products registered with Geographic Indication (GI) to enter global markets, including the EU.

Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The EU deeply regrets that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League of Democracy, and members of her household have been arrested and charged with breaching the terms of her detention, which the United Nations had determined violates international and national law. It is especially striking that these events practically coincide with the expiry of her house arrest.

EU Presidency statement on the unrest in Thailand

The Presidency of the European Union expresses its regrets that the Government of Thailand had to postpone the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya due to political protests that threatened to disrupt the meeting. It expresses the hope that the functioning of ASEAN, an increasingly important partner for the EU, will not suffer from this event, and looks forward to further cooperation between our organizations.

PRESS STATEMENT OF THE EU SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BURMA/MYANMAR

The European Union Special Envoy (EUSE), Mr. Piero Fassino, paid a three day visit to Bangkok where he met Thai Government representatives and relevant partners and stakeholders. During the meetings with the Royal Thai Government, the current situation in Burma/Myanmar was discussed, as well as possible joint action between the EU and Thailand in support to the United Nations Good Offices Mission entrusted to the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

The European Union deepens relations with ASEAN

The European Union (EU) today announced a set of concrete actions to deepen its relations with ASEAN following the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter in December. To deepen diplomatic relations, Ambassadors of all 27 EU Member States and the European Commission (EC) will be accredited to ASEAN. Following the recent appointment of the UK, French and German Ambassadors, the Czech Republic (representing the current Presidency of the EU) and EC formally appointed their Ambassadors today in Jakarta as Representatives to ASEAN.

European Commission welcomes launch of Post-cyclone Nargis recovery and preparedness plan for Myanmar/Burma

Today the "Post-Cyclone Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PONREPP)" for Myanmar - a comprehensive planning tool for recovery in the Irrawaddy Delta after last year’s cyclone is launched in Bangkok. The plan was commissioned by the Tripartite Core Group (Government of Myanmar (Burma), the UN and ASEAN) which coordinated the immediate humanitarian needs and thus played a valuable and constructive role in the delivery of relief in the post-Nargis assistance operation.

Declaration by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the situation in Thailand

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union expresses its deep concerns about the continuing deterioration of the political situation in Thailand. It recalls that the Thai Government has a responsibility to protect both Thai citizens and foreigners. It urges the Thai authorities to restore security and guarantee public order in accordance with the rule of law. The Presidency of the Council of the European Union reaffirms its strong attachment to democracy and respect for the Constitution of Thailand, essential of EU-Thai relations. It urgently calls on all the parties concerned to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in a spirit of national reconciliation.

Universal Children Day – Focus on fight against child labour Joint Statement of Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner, Ashton, Michel and Spidla

"Some 165 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are estimated to be currently involved in child labour. Child labour is a grave human rights' violation and undermines efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education. We will continue in our joint efforts to achieve progress towards our common goal of eradicating child labour.

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