Brussels, 13/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - MEPs are calling for greater involvement of EU diplomacy in order successfully to complete the negotiations that were launched in 2010.
In the recommendations adopted in plenary session on 11 September, the European Parliament recalls the importance of “the timely conclusion” of the partnership and cooperation agreements (PCA) with Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Observing rather slow progress in the talks with Kuala Lumpur - the negotiations for a partnership and cooperation agreement and a free-trade agreement having been launched three years ago, in October 2010 - MEPs call on the EU “to strengthen the EU negotiating team during negotiation rounds to match the thematic expertise available on the Malaysian side and, in addition, to facilitate the negotiations, and show appropriate EU interest in them”.
The PCA with Malaysia should “establish a new level of strategic and political framework for the bilateral relations” by extending the EU's engagement in a number of areas of mutual interest, including trade, energy, science and technology, migration, counter-terrorism, human rights and fundamental freedoms, good governance, social standards and labour conditions, anti-corruption, people trafficking and non-proliferation, and by strengthening the political dialogue on the environment, green technology and climate change, MEPs state.
The negotiations for a PCA should, furthermore, be “dependent on each other and be carried out in parallel” with those for a free trade agreement, the Parliament states. In the wake of the Malaysian general elections in May, a reassessment of Malaysia's priorities will nevertheless precede a new negotiating session. (EH/transl.fl)