Brussels, 22/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN summit in Singapore on Thursday 22 November, Peter Mandelson criticised the slow pace of progress in the talks underway towards a free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU27 and the Southeast Asian bloc (Brunei, Burma /Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). In their joint declaration, the European and Asian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a swift conclusion of the discussions, which have remained turbulent since their launch in May. The reasons for this include the negotiation format, as the EU has refused to negotiate with Burma/Myanmar, due to the violation of human rights by the Burmese military junta. “I am concerned by how much time this is taking. We must step up the pace”, insisted the trade commissioner, whose concerns focus on the content of the FTA. The EU is hoping for a new-generation agreement, covering not only goods and services, but also the Singapore subjects and the removal of non-tariff barriers. Mr Mandelson also voiced his disappointment at the impasse in the Doha discussions, particularly the stubbornness of the emerging countries of the NAMA-11, whose members include Indonesia and the Philippines. (E.H.)